RELIEF COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1993, 21 June 1919, Page 2

RELIEF COMMITTEE.

Wc were waited upon yesterday by a local resident, who stated that something should be done to set up a local relief committee to ascertain cases of distress requiring relief, ami to raise a fund for such purposes,- and to work in conjunction with the district charitable aid officer. He suggested that such committee should consist of the ininislers wives and others who would carry out investigations and work unostentatiously. He informed us that he would bo pleased to give information concerning a similar organisation in another town whose operations were most successful both from a financial and relief point of view. He further stated that an effort was at present being made to give relief to a deserving case, yet at the same time there were two more cases equally if not more deserving which required immediate attention, where the bread-winners were invalids, and had been unable to earn anything for some months past; in one ease the mother was bedridden, and in the other case the mother went out to work in order to make ends meet, whereas in the case under notice the husband-was fortunately able to follow his calling. In reference to the above, we can vouch for the two cases mentioned by our informant as deserving of urgent practical public sympathy. The suggestion to set up a small relief or benevolent committee is one that should commend itself to the public. AVe feel sure that funds as required, and oilier necessities, would lie willingly forthcoming from the public, and that some effort could be .arranged once or twice a year to supplement voluntary donations. The committee could divide the borough into wards, and the work carried out Avitlimit undue publicity being given to any particular case. The suggestions made have been passed on to the Mayor, who is in entire sympathy and Avill convene <> meeting at an early date.