A WORD ABOUT BAZAARS

Northland Age, Volume 14, Issue 33, 26 April 1917, Page 7

A WORD ABOUT BAZAARS

A tIAZAAR is a form of entertainment that is held for the purpose of raising money for a charitable object when all other methods have proved unsuccessful. It serves the dual purpose of satisfying people that not only are they supporting a deserving cause, but that they are getting something in exchange for their money as well. The word bazaar, strictly speaking, is an Eastern one, and is held to denote a market place where goods are sold; but as used over here, it generally signifies a place where people arc sold. It is often spoken of as a sale of work, and being for the purpose of charity, any means are considered legitimate in order, to work the sale.

Bazaars are made up of a limited number of stalls and an unlimited number of hauls. They should always be presided over by ladies—preferable good looking ones—as they not only attract more custom, but extract more money from the pockets of intending purchasers. The most popular stall at a bazaar is invariably the refreshment stall. Alcholic drinks can never, of course, be purchased there, but they can sometimes be obtained.

A bazaar should always be opened by some lady of title or some other actress, and is usually under the control of the rector. The latter is generally under the control of his wife, who is the Director. There is, of course, a small charge of admission, but it is the only small one there is. Rafllles and lotteries, which are illegal in the eyes of the law are always permitted at bazaars, provided sufficient money can be raised thereby. Charity covers a multitude of sins, and the law and the profits should never be allowed to clash. In the highest circles of society, ladies have been known to retail kisses for the sacred cause of charity, and to illustrate the sacred cause of charity, and to illustrate the motto that it is more blessed to give than it is to receive, but judging by the age and appearance of many stallholders seen at local bazaars this custom never seems in imminent danger of being profitable.

The reason why people are, as a rule, so anxious to assist in the management of a bazaar is that they realise that they will undoubtedly save money in the long run. the only people who are not expected to spend money are the local curates. The reason of this is because they never have any. All other women, however, will be only too pleased to spend several pounds upon articles they don’t want, and which could be obtained elsewhere for a similar number of shillings, in a far better quality. After the Show is finished, everyone who has assisted, or thought of assisting sends in a list of expenses, and the balance (if any) is sent to the charity for which the entertainment was started. But, in any case, it is always described in the papers as a tremendous success. People in want of change should never go to bazaars, they will never get any.