RELIEF FUNDS DWINDLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 974, 17 May 1930, Page 6

RELIEF FUNDS DWINDLE

R.S.A. AND POPPY DAY EX-SOLDIERS IN DISTRESS With the funds available for direct relief received through the Poppy Dayappeal dwindling fast owing to unprecedented demands, _ the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association is seriously concerned as to the straits in which many ex-soldiers will find themselves this winter. Every day brings forward new applicants for relief, last Wednesday’s total of 251 including 40 who had not applied previously. The secretary of the R.S.A. in Auck-

land, Mr. E. H. Sharp, said this morning that a total of about £6OO has been offered to local bodies on the basis of a £ for’ - £ subsidy for use in providing work for ex-service men. This is almost certain to be taken up in its entirety, thus providing work to the value of £1,200, which will do much to aid distress. There was £4OO in hand after the appeal for direct distribution, but at the present rate this cannot last more than two months A remit from the Auckland branch, which will be discussed at the annual conference of returned soldiers this month, suggests that the interest on the Canteen Fund be made available every year for distribution. In the past grants have tfeen made, ranging, in the case of Auckland, from £BOO to £1,500. This has done much to give relief throughout the winter. APPEAL TO EMPLOYERS

A direct appeal to employers of labour is being made by the committee of the R.S.A. here, asking that work, even of a temporary nature, be given wherever possible. The association has on its list of urgent cases more than 200 labourers, as well as 20 painters, 19 carpenters, 17 motordrivers, 12 storemen, 9 seamen, 6 cooks and 4 butchers. There are a further 50 men who, on account of war disabilities, are fitted only for light work such as messengers, liftmen or night watchmen. Of the £2,100 collected on Poppy Day, a record for Auckland, £578 had to be paid out for the poppies themselves. Wreaths cost £l9 and cartage and printing £l4, leaving £1,499 for distribution. Ten per cent., or £149, went to the Veterans’ Home; 15 per cent., or £224, to the R.S.A., and £9O ico the Otahuhu Returned Soldiers’ Club.