RELIEF OF DISTRESS.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19313, 20 July 1934, Page 6

RELIEF OF DISTRESS.

WELFARE LEAGUE WORK

HELP FOR NEEDY

REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES

The many channels through which, to hundreds of needy families in the town, relief had been in diverse ways afforded are indicated in the annual report of the Waikato Social Welfare League. It is a regrettable fact that the calls for assistance should have been more frequent- than ever, but at the same time it is with gratification that citizens can review the comprehensive manner in which the League has risen to the occasion and administered to the wants of the needy in the town.

"The operations of the League increased very considerably during the year, the total turnover amounting to £1621 19s 2d, compared with £646 6s 7d for the previous year,” states the report. “This increase is due partly to the amount received from the proceeds of art unions and also to increased sales of goods to the relief workers. However, the accounts do not disclose the whole of the work, as very considerable quantities of goods have been received and distributed which do not show in the financial statement.”

Reviewing the principal activities of the League, the report says that in the meat department the regular supplies had been distributed twice weekly, for which a small charge was made, a service which was greatly appreciated by the workers and their families. Boot repairing was one of the most useful activities. Two of the workers, whose wages were paid by the Unemployment Board, had been engaged during the whole of the year, with a third man occasionally lending assistance when a larger volume of work came in. A small amount was paid for the repairs. Gardens Inspected. The demand for garden seeds had greatly exceeded that of the previous year. The gardens were inspected by an official of the Unemployment Board, who reported on their condition; and it is considered that the supervision exercised had brought about a better state of production. “A good response was made by the community on the occasion of the Christmas appeal,” continues the report. “And the support forthcoming enabled the League to make the usual free distribution of parcels of groceries and other foodstuffs during the festive season. The supply of clothing and blankets was not -up t,o the standard of previous years, and the League found it necessary to supplement the quantity received by purchasing goods of this kind."

The thanks of the League were due to the activity of the Y.M.C.A. Optimists’ Club, who conducted the recent clothes drive with great success; while the executive also greatly appreciated the use of the show buildings, granted by -the Waikato Winter Show committee, as the result of which the League was able to carry out Its work much more efficiently than could be done in the absence of the same facilities. Donations Received. The statement of accounts, which has been audited by Mr W. 11. Allen, honorary auditor, showed that the year opened with a credit balance of £2 17s Bd, and closed with a credit blance of £l6 12s Bd. The general donations received amounted to £358 3s 7d, while the proceeds of the Police v. Law football match were £IOB 2s Bd, the Unemployment Board subsidy £3O 10s, proceeds from art unions £430 17s 3d, boot repairs £75 15s, sale of garden seeds £24 Is, meat sales £524 Bs, hides and skins, etc., £7O Is Bd.

On the expenditure side the items are: Meals and lodgings £26 Is 9d, groceries £242 19s lid, coal and wood £7 8s 6d, clothing £36 13s iOd, boot repairing materials £97 3s 6d, meat purchases £Bll 15s, garden seeds £173 Us Bd, cartage £6 4s 6d, sundry payments £79 19s Id, salary, advertising, stationery and sundry items £l2O 11s Id.

The annual meeting will be held at (he Y.M.C.A. on Monday, at 7.30 p.m., and all interested in the League are invited to attend. Business will include the adoption of the accounts and the election of committee and officers for the current year. The future policy of the League has also to be decided.