PRACTICAL METHODS FOR RELIEF.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 9430, 3 June 1891, Page 3

PRACTICAL METHODS FOR RELIEF.

TO TUB BDITOE.

Sib, —It; la very well known that evil is wrought for want of thought j ia it not equally certain that good is omitted to be done for ihe very same reason ? Now, I venture to say, that if we ■ all thought a little and all practised a little, even a very little, self-denial, we might soon (in a comparatively small place like Christchurch) dispense entirely with organised associations for benevolent purposes, and thereby save the cost of all the machinery at present in use. Why should not each one who is disposed to give either money, clothes, food, coals, or books, give thorn directly to the poor people themselves, who are known to be in real distress ?

To explain more fully, I will give an instance : A lady, living in a certain city, of moderate means, says within herself, I will nob subscribe to all sorts of associations for the relief of the poor, but I will go bo a clergyman and ask him if he knows of a family who require a little help. The clergyman, of course, immediately knows of a poor man, who, through delicate health, is utterly unable to work for the support of his wife and family. They are perfectly respectable and deserving, but they sadly want a helping hand. The aforesaid lady does not, by any means, essay to keep this family, but she secures some washing for the wife to do; she takes little niceties to tempt the appetite of the invalid, and she supplies him with books and papers to while away the tedious hours. The poor family are all industrious. As soon as school days are ended, the children find employment and all goes well; there are troubles, but they are not overwhelming. Now, does anyone know how many distressed families there are in Christchurch ? Say, roughly guessing, five hundred. Then, how many well-established and comfortably-off families ? Say five thousand. Thus we have ten able to help the one requiring help. Off these take four, who eay they cannot, or will not, help. But, it will be argued, how are the helpless or distressed to be brought in contact with those willing to relieve their distress? Surely, here organisation is required, and so it is, but then the organisers would not want payment 5 of course not. With help, each clergyman could easily penetrate to the core the circumstances of all his poor parishioners; and, la a short time, every case of real distress could be unearthed. Then there would be the un-, earthing of the helpers. Many would come forward to assist j but it would be well that systematic, personal appeal bo made to those able, but perohanoe lazy or thoughtless, folk, who want. a little stirring' tq the point. When-all^tM^haa-baerpt^oßO^ ' " : T.

without a farthing's worth, of money being expended, how would the six weJI-tor do families set to work: to help the one distressed family ? Why, they] would consult together, and one would e»y, ; "I will send them two or three loaves a week;” and another the same; and another «I will send them some meat, or make some some soup;” and another, or perhaps soma of the young girls of the families, " I will collect and mead clothes for them, and sea if there is any old fnrfii'ture or things generally to bo spared.” ' Another .might l see about a little firing, and then those best fitted to do bo could visit the family and show friendly interest - .Then, after a time, the poor family are righted and on their feet again, and they would have such pleasant feelings* towards those kindly ones that much more good would be done than the actual giving of the things. Now. this is nofsrfetched, Utopian, impossible scheme,' bah so simple; and yet it takes in the relief of all real distress.; .Allthe money now spent on the machinery and organisation might be spent on beautiful coals, to make bright fires to warm poof,, cold people.—>l am, &c., PRACTICAL.