The Women's Home.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 217, 15 September 1886, Page 5

The Women's Home.

(To Hie Editor.) Si]!,—A short time strico there appeared in your columns nn appeal for subscriptions to tho Women's Home presided over by Mrs Cowic. To-day yon report a somewhat peremptory lottor with regard to tho Lock Hospital, addressed to the Hospital and Charitoblo Aid Bonfd by Jtr ISoynton, Secretary of the Auckland l*ellef and Women's Homo Association. It seems necessary to point Ollt Ihftt While benevolent schemes supported by voluntary contributions of tho prolnoltfrti ?.re beyohd criticism, the case becomes VK.tlrely altered when outside holp is requested, ftrid still mors when nn attempt is mado to Bain control of public funds or public property: and the climax is reached in a plea, upon the ground of benovolent intention, for authority to do good by force. Such a course renders it a duty to look into the proposed plans, and if necessary, frankly to express disapprobation, however one may regret the obligation to differ from those with whom it would be so much plcasiuiter to ugrce. Bishop Hooper, the martyr, declared that some of tho greatest evils in the world had been brought about hy mistaken attempts to do good; and a very different thinker. Ilorbort Sponcer, points out the danger of' the must-do-somcthing' impulse, which is the. origin of much mischief, individual and social."

We are told that in Mrs Cowie's Home there havo been for several montlis pnst ten or eleven inmates besides infants, and that some of these inmates are not in a state of health to do much washing or ironing. Now, it is certain that many, perhaps tho majority of rospcctnblu mothers, are quite unnblo to secure such consideration, aud aro obliged to do, not a little, hut very much hard work during tlio time preceding and following the birth of their children : mid it is certainly open to doubt whether tho knowledge that such indulgence can bo had for tho usking, and that children who should never have come into the world may, for a time, be so easily provided for, can bean altogether judicious method of attacking tho evil we regret. Thoso who approve the plan aro at perfect liberty to support it, but they must not go upon the principle that " what's mine's my own, but what's another man's ain't his'n," and attempt either to tax or to conipclthcirfellow-creatures. It is difficult also to sco upon what grounds special proU-ion should be made for those who incur disease with their eyes open, by their own fault. Such women can find money to dress in whom it is proposed to tax for their benefit, and can indulge in costly amusementsnoverdrcttmed of by honest hard working people. Ia it then just to tell them that if they fall ill br thoji- own sin, tho public, including numbers of selfdenying persons who have enough to do to make both ends meet, shall be burdoned with their support? lit seems, further, rather a strange thing to start a Home for such women, and then decline to havo anything to do with them in their greatest need. , At any rate, that which tho promoters of such a Homo refuso to do themselves, they have no right to impose as a duty upon any other body, or upon the public at largo. Finally, does not Uie fact that these questions requiro to be raised at all show to what a dopth of degradation men among us must have sunk—the men to whoso shameless selfishness the sickness and suffering are due? It is they who. if the slightest spark of honour remained to them in their fallen state, would provido tho funds needed for the treatment of illness which thoy havo caused, nnd for the support of those whom they have rendc-ed unable to work, as well as for tho infants so much to be pitied. If compulsion is to ho used at all, it is to these men. so indifferent to tho public welfare, so careless of everything but their own self-indulgence, that it should bo first applied.— Yours truly, Mary Stkadman Aldis. Mount Eden, Sept. 11, 1888.