The Press. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1895. WINTER WORK FUND.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9128, 12 June 1895, Page 4

The Press. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1895. WINTER WORK FUND.

We have reason to believe that an effort will be made to induce the local bodies to supplement a fund to be raised by public subscription with a view to providing work for those really in need during the present winter. We stated our views in regard to the unemployed difficulty generally in a leading article on Monday. We object to assistance being given in the shape of charitable doles pure and simple. Giving money without any return tends to encourage the thriftless to depend upon charity rather than upon their own efforts. What we should endeavour to do is to render help to those who are out of work to enable them to tide over the present crisis, without killing the spirit of selfreliance, which ought to be in the heart of every man. If we destroy that we shall do harm instead of good to those we seek to aid, and we shall certainly be sowing the seed for tenfold trouble of the same kind in the future. In our opinion those in need should at least show their willingness to work, and we believe that all who are physically able to work, except the incorrigibly idle, would prefer to give their labour in return for assistance rather than sacrifice their self-respect by accepting mere charity. On the other hand we are persuaded that the public are too kind-hearted, when the matter is put before them plainly, to allow those who are really willing to work to go hungry during the winter.

Our .proposal is that the public shall subscribe, say, £500, which shall be supplemented by a like sum from the local municipal bodies and Road Boards, and that the public subscriptions shall be divided among those bodies in proportion to their respective contributions. If this is done we have a right to expect, from the tone of the Premier's speech the other day, that the Government will subsidise the fund so raised by a substantial grant in aid, say pound for pound. If this were done the local bodies would be placed in command of enough" money to provide work for the workless, sufficient at any rate to keep the wolf from the door during the coming winter. As far as possible the work selected should be of a reproductive kind. In saying this we are not, of course, so sanguine as to imagine that in any case the jobs to which the unemployed are put will turn out remunerative in the ordinary sense of the word. With a little care and foresight, however, work might be chosen which would add to the comfort of the ratepayers, and improve the appearance of the district, so that irrespective of the main object of the expenditure the local bodies would get some value for the money they contributed. If the plan we propose is carried out the rates will only be called upon to pay say 5s in every pound expended, or without taking the Government subsidy into, account only 10s. So far as the local bodies are ! concerned, therefore, they ought not to need much urging to do what is their obvious duty in this matter. As to carrying out the details, these can easily be settled when the time comes. We may point out, however, that the City Council has a large staff, which, under our Mayor, can undertake the supervision of the fund and its equitable distribution amongst the local bodies generally. We have no fear that all this can be satisfactorily arranged. The main point is to see that men who are anxious to work shall not be allowed to go without food or warmth during the wintry weather now close upon us. In regard to the benevolent public for whose subscriptions we would ask, we hope also that it will not need many words to commend to their notice a good work, in regard to which we are aware that already the philanthropic instincts of many are stirred with active sympathy. We know all that can be said against the impositions of which charitably disposed people are too often made the victims, and we know that many who are now in want have been brought to that position through their own fault. But they are not all impostors or even all blameworthy. There are many deserving men whom it is cruel to turn away, when they ask for work, with the stereotyped reply, "I have none to give you." True it is that the first to suffer when there is a dearth of work are the incompetent and the partly worn-out elderly men, but even against the incompetent, if they are willing to do their best, we should not utterly harden our hearts. We cannot see them starve. Let those who are always sure of a hearty meal, and have a comfortable fireside to go to on winter nights, think of the many who have but little food, scanty clothes, and it may be no firing. Let the fortunate ones spare a little out of their abundance for those who are badly off, and we shall see the worst of the unemployed trouble remedied for the time being. We are pleased to note the prompt action taken by the Palette Club in aid of the movement, and hope their exhibition will be a thorough success. Perhaps some of our amateurs, who are always ready to use their gifts in the cause of charity, will see their way to getting up a concert or theatrical entertainment in aid of the same cause, in which case we feel sure it will receive the hearty

y support of the public. We also appeal to those who are fortunate enough to , be in constant work to contribute • their mite, and we ask the several t Labour Associations to take action in support of a movement that is entirely outside of politics. In the meantime we shall be glad to receive and acknowledge all contributions sent to us in aid of " The Winter Work Fund." Already the following sums are promised, on the understanding that whatever is subscribed by the public shall be supplemented by the Municipal Councils and Boad Boards in our immediate neighbourhood :— Press Relief Fund, per W. R. Mitchell ... ... £25 0 0 i Press Newspaper Company, : Limited... ... ... 20 0 0 : Geo. G. Stead ... ... 20 0 0 , " One who has been out of work and didn't like it" ... 10 0 We invite contributions, either large , or small, from all who are interested in the movement, and need hardly remind our readers that this is a ease in which the old adage particularly applies—" Who gives quickly gives twice."