HELPING THE NEEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15594, 28 April 1914, Page 5

HELPING THE NEEDY.

THE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

URGENT NEED FOR FUNDS

" The past rear has been one of hard work and great anxiety.- tho limited funds at your society's disposal having made it difficult to copo adequately with distress in Auckland city and suburbs." This paragraph in the 30th annual report of the Auckland Ladies' Benevolent Society, to be presented to-day at the annual meetI ing of the society, is followed by an appeal to the generosity of tho Auckland public. Referring to the persistency of poverty, even in a prosperous community, the report states: "It is far from truo that the sufferers are entirely to blame. Wo are living in a very artificial state of society, whose vices, shams, rules, extravagance, and hardness of heart often drive the wolf to the poor man's door in spito of himself. Intemperance, laziness, thriftlessucss, vice, and) crime doubtless contribute to the existing state of affairs, hut 30 years' experience proves that a great majority of the sufferers your committee relieve really deserve more pity than blame. It is the old, old story. Husbands desert, their wives and children; death removes the breadwinner; failing health renders mothers unable to look after the children, and aged persons who have seen better days find that they have outlived their humble fortune. In such cases your society renders absolutely necessary help, without which the poverty of the poor would become, a menace to society." Continuing, the report indicates that tho work of the society is at present seriously handicapped by lack of a system of regular contributions, donations at present being largely of a haphazard character. It is suggested that tho society's efforts would bo materially assisted if it could share in the bequests sometimes made by well-to-do people to philanthropic institutions. Some form of endowment is believed to be essential to enable the society to continue its mission of succouring the needy. "It was with the merest trifling balance," the report continues, "that the society began its financial year. On March 31 last it had £303 odd in hand, but as the expenditure at the present time is nearly £100 per month, that balance will soon Ho exhausted. Had it not been for" the valuable help rendered by Mrs. Alfred Natlian, and the friends who helped so successfully to stage "The Magistrate," the society might have collapsed. That generous effort resulted in a return of £135 for the year, which urn was subsidised by the Government." The. committee also records its obligations for a sum of £25 resulting from an entertainment given by Miss'Hewes's Mount Eden Collegiate School pupils, and for help rendered by the men's branch in drafting circulars of appeal, etc. Appreciative referenco is made in the report to tho valuable services of Mrs. C. M. Nelson (president of the ladies' section) and Mrs. Bedford. The latter is resigning after 20 years' service, her place being taken by Mrs. Heighton Jones.