OUTLOOK IN SYDNEY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 306, 10 December 1931, Page 10

OUTLOOK IN SYDNEY

GOOD CHRISTMAS EXPECTED SAVINGS BANK MONEY. STRONG APPEALS FOB CHARITY. There is rejoicing in Sydney that the Christmas trading season is likely to be as good as any over known in that city. A correspondent says:—“The release of £7,500,000 from the New South Wales Government Savings Bank will buy all the hams, turkeys, Christmas presents, and other goods associated with the season which are deemed to be needed. It will aiso take a number of families off the dole and thereby will restore them to that feeling of independence so necessary to the selfrespecting citizen, without which he feels himself to bo of no account whatever. “This return to the status of full citizenship will of itself be valuable, not merely to the individuals experiencing it, but, owing to the better thought prevailing, to the whole community. The country is feeling itself ‘on its feet' again owing to improved prices of wheat and wool, and rural buoyancy will bo reflected in city business. Therefore, notwithstanding temporary political setbacks, New South Wales is disposed to fling .up its collective hat and to shout, ‘There’s a good time coming.’ “There is already inquiry at real estate offices for shops that have been as sightless eyes in many streets foi some time, and have detracted from the power of those streets to attract customers. Leases for a period that will include Christmas and Easter seem to many to be safe investments. The shopkeepers will be keenly alert for a share of the £7,500,000, and of tho extra money for wheat and wool. Sydney may, consequently, be like its old self for a time.” ANOTHER SIDE OF THE PICTURE. Despite the optimistic views expressed, others say that never before have there been so many demands for money as at this year-end. All the charitable organisations and institutions want bushels of it. They plead that they need funds so badly that they must expire if requirements are not” met without delay. There is no novelty in this need, and the wording of the requests is equally familiar. The correspondent a day or so earlier said:-—“The amount appealed for is larger than ever previously noted. I That, however, does not add to the worry. The mind of the multitude has long since been adjusted to the conditions, and the strain cannot be added to. Not merely hospitals and allied institutions, but all organisations that exist wholly or in part on contributions by the people, have emissaries on every doorstep, outside every club and hotel, on the steps of the Stock Exchange, and by the palaces of concrete and marble housing the banks. WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES. ‘‘Nor does this campaign on a wile eity front comprehend all the activities. There are letters, yes, and telegrams, too. Clever secretaries who draw a commission on all collections have taken the advice of the director of Post and Telegraphs, and do part of their imploring by telegraph. They are at t’ j telephone, too. “Women with cooing voices are selected for this business, and if a man answers they convey that he has already promised kindly consideration and may now be good enough to complete it. Charity dances and charity bridge drives and euchre parties are being held everywhere. Some citizens mav he asking themselves whether they will be nblo to retain enough to pay for the Christmas turkey.’’