Distress Again
From the Hastings Mail of 05/01/1907
The first meeting of the Hastings Distress Committee this year was held. It appealed to the public for funds. There was no Queens’ fund this year. An appeal letter was published in the Mail, saying that the distress in the borough, owing to the want of employment, especially amongst painters, artisans in the building trade and labourers had been intensified by the recent trying weather. Subscriptions could be forwarded to the honorary treasurer of the fund, Mr GR Butterworth (borough accountant) at the Town Hall. Also: Hints for intending emigrants from the British Emigrants Information Office were published (page 3), and it was reported that the Workhouse was crowded, with over 400 inmates.
On 14 January, the Distress Committee reported a lack of contributions to the unemployed fund. There was limited work. It pointed out that there were as many unskilled labourers in Hastings unemployed as there were last year (1906).