CHARITABLE APPEALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18374, 14 April 1923, Page 10

CHARITABLE APPEALS.

COMMUNITY FUND SCHEME.

AMERICAN MODEL ADOPTED.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

CHRISTCHURGH. Friday. 'A conference to consider the introduction of a more satisfactory method of collecting funds for charitable and other purposes has been held.

Mr. A. W. Jamieson gave the meeting his experience of the system in vogue in certain towns in America. It had been found in that country that the same people were being canvassed to contribute to different funds over and over again, while others contributed nothing at all. It was not considered fair that such should be tho case. During the war the citizens had become used to street collections, but later the system became nauseating to them, and, instead of donating a goodly sum, they acquired the habit of putting into the collector's box the smallest sum that would purchaso themselves a badge giving them exemption from being further approached. A citizens' committee was set up and went into the question of what institutions should be maintained by public subscriptions. It was ascertained from the organisations concerned the amount they needed to carry on. The amount actually raised by public subscriptions was also ascertained, and ultimately the organisation was given an amount between the two figures referred to.' - The next thing that was ascertained was if the money was required for any special purpose. In one instance an organisation said that it,required a certain sum for building purposes. The committee, however, on going into the question considered that a less pretentious scheme would suffice and the amount was reduced accordingly. A lot of cold water had been poured on the community fund scheme at first People said it would never work, but it had met with complete success. - ,

Appropriate posters were issued- in connection with the community appeal, such as, " Christchurch Still Cares." In the case of people who subscribed, a badge was given, which might be attached to a man's motor-car, the badge bearing the intimation, ' I have helped.' The board of trustees, which was set up to administer the funds, inspired public confidence. Under the old system the number of large subscriptions outweighed the small subscriptions in proportion of two to one. Under the community system it was found that the small subscriptions outweighed the large in the proportion of three to one. When public sympathy was thus aroused it was found that there was no difficulty in collecting funds. He would like to make it clear that the scheme would not interfere to any extent with the private appeals made by religious institutions. . "V

The scheme, as outlined, was approved and it was decided that the Canterbury Progress League bo asked to go into the Question of Betting up a committee from the various philanthropic organisations in the city.