DISTRESSED FAMILY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 394, 30 June 1928, Page 1

DISTRESSED FAMILY

NOTICE IN PARLIAMENT “RUSHING INTO PRINT” (THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Friday. The case of the distressed family at 34 St. Paul Street, which was given publicity in THE SUN on Tuesday and has since been taken up in other quarters, has now reached Parliament. Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) drew the attention of the House to the pitiable state of affairs of the family, and said that it reflected little credit on the Government that a returned soldier should be in such straits. The Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands, said that until the Government had had time to make inquiries an extreme statement such as had been muddled him to believe that the statements in the Press concerning acute distress were not to be believed. He felt sure that if the facts were brought before the Patriotic Association before statements were rushed into the Press something would have been done immediately to help the man. TELEGRAM OF PROTEST This morning the following telegram was forwarded to Mr. Parry by the Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour, of the Methodist Central Mission, who has interested himself in the unfortunate family and has been instrumental in relieving their distress:— “Flatly deny rushing case of returned soldier St. Paul Street into print. Family one week in empty house sleeping on sacks before any publicity. Case by no means isolated. Distress on every hand.— Scrimgeour, Methodist City Missioner.” Any assistance which is offeree! through The Sun for the distressed families brought under the notice of Mr. Scrimgeour will immediately be forwarded to him.