THE CHARITABLE AID ENQUIRY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9019, 4 February 1895, Page 3

THE CHARITABLE AID ENQUIRY.

. A public meeting was .held in the Tuara elrecb Ifall yesterday" afternoon " to protest againab the finding of the Coimuiseionera \u the Charitable Aid enquiry." Mr Hawley presided, and on the platform were ilesdamea Garmson and Stokes, and Messrs Jtallinger, Horneby,.and Powell. About 200 persons were present.The Chairman said the subject was one which snould have filled the- halL He related the causes which had led up to the " indignation meeting," and later in the afternoon stated that the local M.H.R/8 had been invited to bo present. Messrs Joyce and Ruasell were kind and courteous enough to acknowledge the letters. None of the others bad done so,, and he.observed that the omission might bo remembered at the next election'. - . Mrs Gabmsox considered that the apparent indifference with which the matter was treated was ''a grave reflection on the people of Christchurch." She related wliao had -given rise to the enauicy into the administration of the Charitable Aid Board, remarked that ahe " could not say the inquiry was an impartial one, 1, and said there, was dissatisfaction that the finding of the Comvinissioners had cot been published in full; that the finding as so far published was not at all satisfactory; that Mr Seddon had been asked to fotwatd a copy of .the evidence and finding to those who had accused «* the Hoard; that the Government had not' yet sent it. She had call that . "indignation of other cases which '; under her knowledge. S£<i Sjhojred— l(> That this meeting protests the summing up of the Royal Cominitaibn 'otf . Cbaritaole Aid Administration inj Christ J church as being illogical and inconseqtgei% ' and against the weight of evidence, anirms? I that the publication of the report shonld not rest wth tbe accused parties, and that I the whole of the evidence and finding should ' be made public, suppressing only" the names , of those who gave evidence." ! Mr Balunoeb seconded the motion. He asserted that the inquiry should have been so far public that the reporters of daily paper* should havo been present to report), the evidence—nob necessarily with the name* of witnesses. Hβ strongly supported -{ the request to have the evidence, and find* : ing made public, and said that in view of what had* occurred tbe Government might sot be ready next year with a Bill to amend tbe method of the Charitable Aid. Mr Hoknsbt took a similar view in regard to the publicity which etiould have been given to the inquiry, and also to the finding of tbe Commissioners. Hβ adversely criticised the findipg and the Board's administration, hie remarks being received with applause, and said there would be nothing satisfactory until the' Government swept away'these muerablo Bumbledoms in the •shape of Charitable Aid Boards, and administered from & State Department the i I help required by jmmt people. ' j

The motion was declared to be carried unanimously. • Votes of thanks were tendered to tho ladies and gentlemen who had brought tho question before the public, and to the Chairman.