STRUCK DOWN BY THE STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2215, 30 July 1914, Page 8

STRUCK DOWN BY THE STRIKE

DESTITUTE POOR IN AUCKLAND ■■■■ .) -—- -• PATHETIC STORY OF GRIM POVERTY (By Telegraph—Press Association.)

Auckland, July 29. "The men who were responsible fot the big strike, and who called t|icj,unionists away, from their work, appear to bo still in good circumstances,' and well able to ( fight'the battle of life, hut I know a number of unfortunate fellows who wore called out on strike in -November who Jiave been out of permanent employment ever since, and whose families have been for some time practically in a state of destitution. They did riot want, to cease work, but they were afraid to disobey orders,' and now they are paying all/the penalty. It seems most unfair." This statement was made by Sister Esther,, a wollknown worker among the Auckland poor, when asked whether tho results of the recent strike were apparent among people with whom sho camo into contact. She said that thero was not only a greater amount of extreme poverty in Auckland this year, but tho loss of employment suffered by many men in. consequence of the ill-advised strike had contributed much to this additional distress. :

"City in a Dreadful stato."

.. c .ity is in a'dreadful state," continued Sister Esther, "and applicatioiis which are being for aid are' taxing tho resources of our individual workers, and our. organisations to the utmost. Yesterday 27 persons called here, seeking assistance, and-every ono represented a case of real distress. Fortunately ive are better provided than usual with - niouey, clothes, furniture, and so on, and we are able to meet -these demands upon us." Largo quantities of'clothes are sent to the Sister for distribution, and on ono morning last week she had a constant stream of callers, mostly poorly-clad women and children, who are fitted out with warm garments and boots. "Poor unfortunate women often come to me, suffering from coughs, and I find that; their boots are without soles,said Sister. Esther. They might as. well be barefoot, but they go 'about wearing uppers for tho sake;'-of appearances. :' .Tou cannot imaginei how. jealously these poor .tilings hide their poverty. It has: been saidthat there are few evidences of- poverty, m the street?. ; .There -would- be enough; to startle most people if it were not for tl;e clothes, we hand out. ■

The Little Children. . "The. little children suffer a great deal in this cold weather;" she added. "Tho other- day a bright little l boy came to that, window. 'Sister Esther,' he said, 'canyon give me a shirt? L haven't got any.', I brought him in. He .was wearing a woman's blouso, with the sleeves cut out, and a. pair of ragged' trousers with the braces across his liare shouldors."

.The-relieving officer for tlio Auckland Charitable Aid Board;. Mr. Herbert Jones, was also ; of J opinion that .•'the strike had aggravated the distress in the city; this, winter ._ Making a rough' approximation, he saidithat the applications for relief had increased by about •25 percent, as compared with last year.' One day recently no fewer -than 130 persons had called at the board's offices to obtain or apply'for assistance, and the majority of those people represented families. ' '/ -'-'/A