THE LATE SUICIDE AT PARNELL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8663, 4 September 1891, Page 3

THE LATE SUICIDE AT PARNELL.

TO Tim EDITOR. Sir, This late unhappy event, and. tha cause, shows us that with all our boasted civilisation and professions of religion (Christianity or otherwise) we fail to at least carry out its leading principle. There is something radically wrong in either our want of charity or in our charitable organisations, that refusa to aid a man or woman unless they abase themselves, or their poverty or afflictions are of such a dire character as to enforce assistance, or the gaol, (more usually the latter). How many men and women kill themselves in many ways rather than steal or rob, yet if they wanted help would have it refused, or, if granted, have it advertised. What could be more pathetic than this poor man's last words : " Poverty and ill-health caused me to commit this rash act!" and this is only one of numerous instances in this fair city where you will hear men professing religion state that all assumptions of poverty are untrue, and no man or woman need want here ! No, it is true they need not starve while there is a gaol: and many find their way to it for being guilty of the crime of unheeded poverty; while others, like this poor man, prefer death.—l am, etc., Proh Pudor.