THE FRIENDS OF THE POOR.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14308, 20 March 1912, Page 7

THE FRIENDS OF THE POOR.

THE HELPING HAND

TO TOE EMTOR OF "THE PRESS."

Sir,' —Wo in England aro now in the depth of tho dark dreary days of uinio'-, and I venture-to send this letter over the seas to ask all your readers who remember tho grim struggle for existence that goes on ceaselessly in the slums of tho Motherland, to join our ranks today, and become a "Friend 1 of tbo Poor" at Homo. Our President is H.H. Princess Mario Louise of Schlcswig-Holstein, and to our care aro entrusted many of the most sad and distressing cases of poverty that come -to light in the metropolis. Unfortunately, there are many other deserving families who still remain to bo helped—half-starved, men, over-worked women with their httlo ones —who havo fallen and may .»iev«*" struggle to their feet again, unless wo assist them over this hard and cruel time of slackness of work and dear food. Wo on this sido are doing our best, but wo think to-day that if our hands yore only strengthened by help from tho distant portions of tho Empire, we could extend our work of mercy in a way lhat is now impossible. The qualifications for enrolment as a "Friend of the Poor" are not very difficult, or onerous. All wo ask a "Frienrl"' to do is to send us a donation, no matter how email the amount, or =1 gift of clothes or boots; but if, in addition, ho or she cares, to take charge of ono family in London—to write to them regularly and to hear tho hnmblo story of .their days' doings, their failures end their triumphs—we shall be very glad to put them into touch with deserving families who havo nobody to holp them when all around them looks black jnd threatening, but-who have been recommended to our watchful care and notice. Donations may be sent to" Mr W. F. Hamilton, X.C.. the hon. treasurer of the "Friends of tho Poor." at 40 Ebury street, London, S.W., or further particulars may bo obtained from the undersigned. It gives mc much pleasure to add that we havo already enrolled somo helpers from the Dominions, and Jn a letter that I received this morning, inclosing £2, the writer says:—-"Tlje sender from far off New Zealand wishes to convey her sincere sympathy and admiration." Side by sido with this I find a letter from a poor woman with an invalid husband, who says: "If it had rot been for your help we should have had to go to the "Workhouse, and I feel that it would have been tho death of mo, ono cannot help the feeling of dread jmd. shame the thought of it produces.—l am. your obedient servant, A. E. COLLIN, Hon. Sec. 40 Ebury street, S.W. London.