THE NEEDS OF THE UNEMPLOYED

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17470, 2 June 1922, Page 9

THE NEEDS OF THE UNEMPLOYED

10 TUE EDITOR OY "THE I'UESS.'' Sir, —It is hoped that the Unemployment Committor will get relief work started very quickly to heip the unemployed here in C'hristcimrch. Those of lis win* are engaged in ih> social work of the city know tio.v very desperate the petition is. Very rare y do pej-sons Apply lor charitable aid until the cupboard i-. empty, and very often they have sold all they can part with before they do apply. The Hospital lioard give rations, hut clothing of any kind is not provided. When visiting tlio homes you see how very destitute of clothing for the children and themselves the.-e pevplo really are. The ladies of the Social Welfare Guild help splendidly in trying to provide clothing, but the situation is so acute, now the cold weather has set in. that we cannot make up garments quickly emnigh. It is pitiful to see children and women almost devoid of underclothing, very little, if any. firing, and to know they are not getting the proper food to keep wannth in their bodies. Especially where there is sickness and among tlio widows and deserted oiks is tlio position very hard. One woman who is consumptive and obliged to sleep in a tent, I found, had not a nightdress <iv sufficient tood. These persons do not parade their poverty, and would go on suffering if it were not for the visiting at all times that d:sclcses the true position. I am sure Iho puMic would help with left-off clothing if thoy only knew that ,the clothing would be made good Uoe ot, and go to the people who are worthy of assist:inc°. S.i many delicate children have nether boots nor stockings, and fie old boots that some are wearing are a great deal worse than none at all. Wo meet in the Poultry Club Room, down the right-of-way" by Mason, Struthers, Lichfie'd street. —Yours, etc.. AX-ME E. HERBERT. 13- Tailored street, Linwood. Juno Ist.