PRESBYTERIAN "MANNA."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20556, 6 May 1930, Page 14

PRESBYTERIAN "MANNA."

FREE MEALS RUSHED. :

UNFORTUNATES AND OTHERS.

Over one hundred men went to Manna, House in Cook Street yesterday for their midday meal. Manna House has been opened by the Presbyterian Social Service Association, in co-operation with Sister Esther's movement, for tho purpose of feeding destitute unemployed. A hot meal is provided, the quality being such that the institution, which is under the charge of the Rev. Thomas Halliday, will be popular. The association has had printed cards, by which business men may recommend men. By the same means the Doss House will co-operate. Obviously, numbers of the men who attended yesterday required a square meal. Others were physically fit and well and one is prepared to hazard a guess that if a wood-chopping or sawing task in the backyard were made tho prico of a meal (ho attendance would not be so large. As usual, unemployment is being exploited to some extent, just as free meals would be cheerfully accepted by a section in the best of times. This will always be the cn.se where a Samaritan effort does not guard against tho danger ut manufacturing paupers, and it should be remembered, further, that at present the spirit of providence is unknown by many who are losing self-respect. The Presbyterian Social Service Association is taking names and addresses, so that its workers may find out the home conditions of the men who are fed and ought to be helped for the sake of the wife arid children. An observer of the first day's work at Manna much to arouse sympathy. lie also finds reasons for checking the type who cheerfully accept all the manna that happens to fall. It is a matter of more than passing interest that the Social Service Association is unable to fill dozens of jobs on farms, the pay usually being that given to. youths.