New concept for welfare fund

Press, 20 April 1979, Page 4

New concept for welfare fund

The Christchurch City Council is still looking for the best way to distribute money to the needy from its Mayor’s Welfare Fund. One concern is that claims for the money have not increased in spite of unemployment and hard times. The fund originated during the Depression to coordinate welfare collections and payments. At the end of the last financial year, only $1264 had been paid out. More than $BOO of that went towards coal and blankets, another $2OO went to the Battered Women’s Support Group, and $6O bought groceries. Under the separate Blogg Charitable Trust, $135 was spent on clothes for children aged under 16. After payments, $7894 remained in the main fund. A special group, its chairman, Major G. Beale, of the Salvation Army, has been studying the fund’s workings. The group has suggested

that the fund’s work could be done by the Anglican City Mission and Salvation Army, two agencies able to offer a 24-hour service. Other agencies also could handle needy cases and seek payment of costs from the fund.

Part-payments of electricity bills could be another way of helping some persons, the group said. Money left over at the end of the financial year could be distributed among agencies affiliated with the fund, so the money could be put to the best use. Cr Vicki Buck said the fund money might be better used to meet needs associated with council services, such as bond money for families wanting council housing in emergency cases. The council’s policy and finance committee has approved the new concept in| principle, but administrative details are still being worked out.