NEED FOR FUNDS

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20985, 13 October 1933, Page 5

NEED FOR FUNDS

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION LAST STREET APPEAL THIS YEAR

A serious endeavour to do away with street appeals to assist its funds is to be made by the St. John Ambulance Association, which hopes to make this year's effort on December 1 its last appeal to the public in this way. The announcement was made at a meeting of the special annual appeal sub-committee last evening. Members stated that the present financial position of the Essociation was serious, and unless help was forthcoming the association would be unable, to give the service it had maintained in past year.3. In the circumstances, a street appeal was unavoidable this year, but in future it was hoped to institute a form of family contribution, which would provide all the money required. "There is no doubt that we should aim to do away with street collections altogether," said the chairman (Mr C. W. Hervey), who opened the discussion, and suggested the establishment of a sub-cummittee to prepare a comprehensive report for release to the public. "We should institute a faniily contribution scheme by which the combined households would devote, say, 10s a year. People who have seen the maintenance charges and running expenses have been amazed that the association has been able to carry on. Until we place the full facts before the public, the amount of work that is being done will not be realised. Unless an appeal is made—and made quickly—we shall not be able to give the service we have maintained in the past. For three months' activity our expenses amounted to £521, while contributions were only £23. The money gained from the art union has all been utilised on our premises ana for other improvements. "It is essential that we put the tacts before the public. We hope that this will be our last appeal." A member: I take it tha, we ai £. definitely trying to do away with trie street appeal?, , The chairman: Yes, although that will not be possible this year.

Need for Public Support. Dr. Thomas: We can announce that so long as we can get public support we can dispense with the street appeal. Once the public understands the position it will be only a matter of time before we shall gel all our requirements by donations. If we could get £4OOO a year by subscriptions we would have no need to appeal. A handicap has been that our work has increased enormously during the last 12 months. The chairman: To-day the association is not in a position to meet its liabilities. The position is a very serious one indeed; there is nothng to be gained in hiding it. Mr J. W. Crampton: The association is in a bad way financially and the outlook is a black one. The position should be made as widely known as possible. Dr. Thomas and Messrs J. W. Crampton, E. H. Marriner, and the chairman were appointed a sub-com-mittee to make a complete report on the position of the association

Arrangements for Appeal. The chairman reported that arrangements had been made with Station 3YA for addresses on the work of the association to be broadcast at the morning and evening sessions. It was reported that Mr A. I. Cottrell, captain of the Canterbury Rugby representative team, and Mr A. E. McPhail, president of the Canterbury Rugby Union, had both intimated their willingness to assist in any way they could. The secretary was instructed to write to the women's auxiliary inviting it to send two delegates to represent it on the women's committee. After a discussion it was decided to rescind the motion, passed by the 'ast meeting, that women collectors be not employed before the strc.t appeal. On the suggestion of Mr Marriner it was decided to write to Dr. F. J. Borne. assistant-commissioner, requesting his approval of a parade by members of the brigade in uniform on the night ot ;!>e street collection. The meeting also decided to write to the officer in charge of the southern command asking him to send a representative to the committee's meetings, particularly those connected with the appeal.