WHAT CAN WE DO FOR OUR POOR?

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 236, 3 October 1894, Page 8

WHAT CAN WE DO FOR OUR POOR?

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—This burning question rises up like_a gigantic ogre as each week brings along tn its train tho troubles and trials of our unfortunates who have been deprived of their mainstay through death or disaster of some kind. We hardly bake up tho daily papere but what our attention is directed to Bpme deserving case, which is but a very slight percentage of what really exists. Charitable individuals are heavily taxed, and would do more, bub their well-diaposed feeling more often yearns in despair for the temporary relief they can offer. ForJnstance, hero and there a subscription lißb or a concert is arranged for and a small sum is raised, which supplies only the immediate relief and starts them once more upon the journey of life, and then to the outside world < this case dies out of memory and.bo they are left to go plodding along, not living bub existing. These in many caßes are the hotbeds from which our streeb Arabs, larrikins, and — next stage — criminals spring, and can it be wondered at. Here is a mother lefb with a family. Their bread depends upon her earnings, and to gain it her children are neglected and run wild upon tho streets. Now you ask what am I driving at. Well, I think ib is about time something was done that would obliterate this state of things, and I desire to propose a system of raising funds which will nob simply bo of local benefit, bub should embrace the whole of the colony, and my firsb attack is upon the theatrical, concerb, and lecturing companies, etc., etc., who are continually travelling over thia country sweeping up our coin. , They should be made to pay their footing by contributing to thia fund aa in some other countries ar. Act of Parliament compelling every ticket to bear a duty of a penny in the shilling or equal to Is 8J in the pound. Again, if this should nob prove to be enough, and it's doubtful if it would, I think we could spare an article on which a duty is collected or tax something specially for. Why should nob those who can afford to buy contribute to tho wants of our fellow* creatures who are less fortunate, and hereby equally contribute to their support. This I should propose to bo a Government relief fund, each centre, viz., Auckland, Wellington, Chrisbchurch and Dunedin, should have a bureau where deserving cases could draw their cheques weekly according to requirement. You know, Mr Editor, it is wanb that pften leads people into transgression, so if we start on the principle of prevention being better than cure, it might bring about a better state of things.—l am, etc., Rainbow Lester.