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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4886, 18 November 1876, Page 2

In Dunedin just now there is an agitation on foot for raising a fund on behalf of the sufferers by the Turkish massacres.; No one could sympathise with those unfortunate people more heartily than we do ; at the same time, we cannot help remembering that charity begins at home, 5 or at least it should do so. Some time ago we called attention to the impecunious condition of the Wellington Benevolent Society. Institutions of this kind are the proper channel for the distribution of relief, 1 and it seems a pity that they should be neglected, as is the case with our own. Without referring at all to the Bulgarian question, then, it is desired tp point out that there is in ©very town in this colony scope for the exercise of benevolence and charity, and that "the needy ones among us here should not be -overlooked in the' observance: of sudden and awful distress in a land which, is divided from us by thou 1 sands of miles. No doubt a great calamity of that kind is apt to distract the attention from the demands made upon ns in the natural course of things. In this city there are many oases of sore need and distress that are not generally known, and it is to such that our neglected Benevolent Society lends assistance when it can; but appeals are sometimes made in vain, 1 for the simple reason that the institution has not the where-: withal to give relief; In some; instances members of the committee have advanced, money put; of their own pockets sooner’ than turn away poor people, who are poor; not from any fault'of their own. There; should be no necessity for,this where so' many , are in a'position to- contribute something, and; while, loud appeals, are made on behalf of the Bulgarian victims, ‘ little attention seems to bo paid to the victims -of' poverty , in our midst. In speaking thus we have no desire to throw 5 cold water on a movement which has its origin in the best feelings of our

common nature. Let the people exercise their charity On behalf of those afflicted people if they will; but’ do hot let us forget that we have a duty at home, and that much depends upon its performance.