STREET APPEALS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17707, 8 March 1923, Page 4

STREET APPEALS.

SUGGESTED POOLING OF FUNDS. To discuss tho desirability of instituting a more satisfactory system of collecting funds for charitable purposes in place of the cumbersome methods at present in vogue, a conference of delegates of charitable and social organisations, convened by a committee sot up by tho Canterbury Progress League was hold yesterday afternoon. Mr 11. Holland, who presided, said that the conference was tho outcome of a deputation which recently waited on the Progress League from the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, which had had its subsidy reduced by the Government, and asked tho League's assistance in having it reinstated. A committee had been Set up by the League, and it had decided to recommend the League to assist the Society in its endeavours to have the subsidy reinstated. At the same time, it was thought that it would be a good thing, instead of having separate appeals for each organisation, if there were one joint appeal per year. It was thought that if suehi an appeal were made, satisfactory arrangements could be made for the equitable division of the funds amongst all tho organisations. Moreover, it was thought tint business men and others would subscribe more generously to one appeal, if they knew that it was the only one of the year. Tiro City Council had, apparently, decided to refuse permission for separate street appeals, but Mr Holland thought there would bo no difficulty in securing pemiission for one big appeal per year. Nurso Maude asked wliat the position would be in regard to private subscriptions to individual organisations. It was stated that the intention was that only the funds collected 1 by an appeal to the public would be affected. Mr J. P. Whatman, while approving th© Tintlei-lving idea., expressed tho opinion that a general appeal for charities would affect the sentimental side of giving to certain charities,' and the sentimental side was a very important one in charities.

Mr Holland said he wished it to be understood definitely that the Progress League would not make the appeal. Ho was not at all tied to the idea ho had suggested, find would bo glad to hear any other suggestions. When th« general appeal was made, subscribers might indicate the particular organisation to which it desired to pive, and the funds could bo earmarked accordingly. The Kev. C. A. Fraer suggested that the various organisations might be budgeted at the beginning of the year. Mr P. 11. Climie said that if the business people understood that thero was to be oho big appeal, the various organisations would benefit accordingly. Mr Whatman said that an organisation called "Charities Unlimited'' had come into being, and it was proposed to give a pantomime or some such entertainment in aid of the District Nursing Fund, and another one later for the orphans, etc. His organisation would be pleased to help in every possible way any practicable scheme that might bo decided upon. The Iter. F. Rule said that he did not think the idea, outlined would be practicable in regard to nil the organisations. For instance, he would like to see the organisation come into being that would stop him from making his tour round tho Presbyterian business men every December and saying. "Your subscription to my organisation is now due." An organisation such as was suggested CDuld only affect, those organisations which supplemented their ordinary funds by appeals to the public How could bodies doing fine work like Nazaretli House, the ■ Methodists, etc., he included in any budget system? What body could have the authority to pledge them into any such system ? All that a combined body could do would be to supplement their efforts. Mr J. A. Fles-her said that not many of the bodies represented that dny made street appeals. Of cnurso the whole thing was fraught with- difficulties. Ho hardly thought that one appeal psr year would be enough; there should be at least one a quarter. But the pooling of funds was sure to lead to much difficulty. There were some appeals, for instance, to which he would give nothing, while there were others to which ho subscribed; if the funds were to be pooled, his subscription might be lost altogether. The only thing lie could

see, if combined appeals were to be made, was to receive from each organisation information- concerning the money it was getting in street appeals, and what it was getting through business firms. Then they woi.ld be in a better position to formulate some plan. The Itev. P. Revell said that busmes.9 men could get more out of business men than outsiders could, and tho business men's committee might b? a god thing. If a meeting of delegates from the various societies could place their needs before such a committ e, that committeo could make an appeal at the most suitable time of the year. Then there would bo nothing to stop societies such as church socioties making their own appeals. Siich a scheme would relieve many societies of a great anxiety, and would save a certain number of appeals to business men, who would not bo so much worried as at present. On the suggestion of the chairman, it was decided to adjourn tho meeting so that tho dolesates could place the position before their societies. There had been a free discussion, he said, and virions difficulties bad been brought to light. If the opinions of the various societies wore obtained', as veil as information from other cities, something definite might be arrived at. The moating was adjourned until 3 p.m. on April 10th, the hope being expressed that all societies interested would be represented.