THE SOCIAL EVIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1399, 12 May 1868, Page 4

THE SOCIAL EVIL.

To the Editor of the Hbbald. Sib, —An improvement in the commoroial prospects of Auckland has served to predict a bright future for the. Province. ~ There are, ' numbers, however, who only look on this side of the picture, without troubling. themselves to enquire, into its social condition. This subject, though perhaps.. th» least in the minds of . hundreds, ii notwithstanding becoming Jone of grave importance. It was once said by a man-of undoubted ability, " Property has [ its duties," and so.it has. 'ihe increasing ptosperity of [ Auckland has its duty to perform, and.which at this timo is too apparent. - The social condition of our " waifa and, a trays,", and ,those, unfortunates denominated the " Social Evil" demand immediate attention., A . casual observer. passing through the streets of, Auckland cannot help being struck with the numbers promenading, and openly displaying their calling, apd yet there an? no . means taken for their, reclamation, , The, growth of. towns, of course, ' gives work to the clergy to erect ohurches, the collection of subscriptions is to. ,thenj. a work of interest and' the r. getting up pf soirees,,fetes, and bazaar* for the raising of funds the work of charity. But yet of all this who has,ever.past a thought, upon, the poor unfortunates who parade the 'public streets, and in | the eyesf.of the religious the despised and rejected, j There are doubtless clergy and laity who can - boast of the fact -that, they,have taught tiio Maori.to know God." , But can they boast,of the. fact'that' . they have worked to reclaim and.save thosp unfortu.nates who have gone as tray,, and were. ,once perhaps ..members of,,happy, families.. „The. clergy,, whether .they be Protectant.,or any,.other denomination, have notf. a, duty; to perform, ,b\»t which has been neglected. That deplorable of all eyiUj, the social ovil, is on the increaseand,, it -behoves, them. atonce to com-' mqnce .the work of reformation *re it is. too lateif they wilLnot come to churc)j. go .to them and reason with them, so that this moral pest may, if not .wholly, be partially-eradicated.- The laity have likewise a J», perform ;. let thoss who.aro fathers of families and,sit at homein ease consider how they can assist thu fclergjr, for they- cannot shut their eyea to. the feet that social evil in. Auckland is feet becoming an intolerable pest and curse. i,,lt is, as was once said by a talented English contemporary on the subject,"a which the devil, plays broker and whose custom houses.. are the gates of Hell."—Yours, &a., ~ PHILiXBTHBS..: Auckland, May 11th. ~ ■i. , , ,