PRACTICAL HELP

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 657, 8 May 1929, Page 16

PRACTICAL HELP

AID FOR AUCKLAND’S DOWN-AND-OUTS METHODIST MISSION “How long have you been out of work” “Three months now, and I’ve called at the bureau twice a day. But I’ve got a chance of a job to-morrow. So-and-so is putting on men.” The scene is a little room at the back of the Methodist Church in Airedale Street, tlie headquarters of the Methodist Central Mission. On the wall there hangs a text, “All things whatsoever ye shall ask in My name believing ye shall receive.” The speakers are any one of Auckland’s unemployed, and a keen-faced man in spectacles, the Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour. The formula is nearly always the same. On behalf of the Auckland Business Men’s Relief Service, Mr. Scrimgeour and his assistant, Mr. L. C. Horwood, are doing a fine work among these “casuals.” They are rewarded by tho thought that the cases they help are genuine, for, by a system of cards, which are sent to Mr. Scrimgeour, the business men of the city who are approached for help ensure that only genuinely “down-and-out” men are helped. The card system provides that auv man asking for help must be referred to Mr. Scrimgeour, who investigates his position. This means that the professional cadger is barred. The business men are willing to help genuine cases, but will not give charity to charlatans. The financial side of the relief work is arranged for by £SO contributions from business firms. Home cases and cases in which women are concerned are dealt with by Methodist sisters, Mr. Scrimgeour and his assistant helping the men only.