Evening Post. MONDAY, MAY 4, 1896. THE BRUNNERTON FUND.

Evening Post, Volume LI, Issue 105, 4 May 1896, Page 2

Evening Post. MONDAY, MAY 4, 1896. THE BRUNNERTON FUND.

Although we bare been nnable to obtain information as to the aggregate sum already subscribed to the Brnnnerton Belief Fund, from all appearancee it is likely to reaoh, if not exoeed, the amount that will be required for the purposes for whioh it has been raised. Indeed, there is some reason to suppose that the donations would of late have been more liberal but for a growing feeling in the public mind that the necessities of the case have been already met. Considering the large number of orphans to be provided for, this is not likely, but sinoe it would be a most regrettable thing if the stream of charity were dried because of any such supposition, it becomes matter for consideration whether an alternative objeot, equally worthy, may not be determined on, to which any surplus furfda that may arise after provision has been made for the Brnnnerton sufferers should be devoted. And as supporting this view we wonld direct our readers' attention to two letters that appear npon the fourth page of this issue. Therein it is contended, and we think justly, that since it is a common event in our daily life for some poor breadwinner to be taken by sudden and unexpected death from aooi dent or disaster, the widow and orphans whom he may leave behind a.re just as much entitled to onr sympathy and aid as are the Brnnnerton families. Yet, though this must be admitted, it is not what follows. In snoh cases there is a paragraph in the looal papers, and maybe an appeal from some good women who are alwayß to be found on the alert on snoh occasions, a few pounds gathered with difficulty, and thore an end. Now, it is not from callousness on the part of the community that the survivors of these individual tragedies pass ont of sight almost unaided, and are so soon forgotten. On the contrary, there has been proof time and again of the abiding generosity and self-denial of the people when legitimate appeal has reached them. Suoh an appeal is that from Brnnnerton, where the magnitude of the disaster, and the swift and awful oharaoter of the death of the viotims, have become more sadly familiar than household words. But if these men had been dispersed over the oonntry, and at differing times each had died at his post by, we will assume, unlooked-for and nnpreventable acoident, how deplorable wonld be the position of their families to-day! It is from this aspeot of the question that the suggestion for the formation of what may be termed a National Insnranoe Aooident Fund is deserving of attentive consideration. Lady Stout declares her intention of again, when opportunity offers, submitting her motion to snoh effeot to the Wellington subscribers to the fund, when it may be hoped it will be discussed upon its merits. And among these not the least is the reasonable certainty that the alternative proposition, while stimulating the publio to greater liberality, and so making adequate provision for the Brnnnerton families assuredly would seoure the nuolona of an insnranoe fund that in the bands of oapable organisers might easily reaoh to the dignity and importance of a national movement. If so, it conld dispense a discriminating and sorely-needed beneficence to many helpless and deserving persons who otherwise wonld be in direst want.