SOLDIERS’ RELIEF WORK SHOWS BIG INCREASE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 305, 16 March 1928, Page 7

SOLDIERS’ RELIEF WORK SHOWS BIG INCREASE

EFFECT OF UNEMPLOYMENT

The work accomplished by the Auckland Patriotic and War Relief Association for unemployed ex-servicemen is reviewed in the report of the Claims Board to th© meeting yesterday, when it was stated that during the past quarter 1,315 applications for assistance had oeen considered. Of this number 305 appeared personally before the board and 1,010 applications were dealt with by correspondence. Assistance amounting to £2,274 17s 8d was granted to 952 applicants and the remaining -363 were declined. In addition the board authorised 354 weeks’ work to returned soldiers with the Auckland City Council on the understanding that the association would pay half the wages. The total amount of wages paid by the association since the inception of the scheme amounted to £1,160 9s 2d. It was shown that the number of cases for th© past quarter represented a large increase over the same, quarters far the previous four years, the figures being as under: Quarter ended March, 1924 .. 395 Quarter ended March, 1925 . . 265 Quarter ended March, 1926 .. 336 Quarter ended March, 1927 . . 438 Quarter ended March, 1928 .. 1,315 The board was still receiving numerous applications from soldiers for loans. These applications were usually in connection with farming propositions, while others are for the purpose of starting in business, or for acquiring furniture. The board, in conformity with the policy laid down by the executive some years ago, declined each application for a loan.