A PERSONAL EXPLANATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 7487, 27 May 1885, Page 2

A PERSONAL EXPLANATION.

At the meeting of the Benevolent Society yesterday, Mr McKenzie said that previous to the Committee separating be wished to make a short explanation. He considered that he had been unfairly treated by tbe Press. It was only just, 1 when a man’s speech was made the subject of comment, that what he did say should be fairly reported. In hU <ase, the climax of a sentence had been reported, anl all that be bad said previously bad been omitted. Tbe result was, that bis feelings and opinion bad been entirely misrepresented. Ho need hardly say that be was no more la favor of loafers than any other member of the Committee or anonymous writers in journals. What be did say wa*», that be was plowed to see the vigilance and discrimination that was being exercised in tbe distribution of the funds of this institution. The Relieving Officer (Mr Johnston) was considered to be well adapted for the position he held, indeed he was said to be tbe right man in the right place, and It must be presumed that he would not recommend au undeserving case to be a recipient of the benevolent fund. The institution had also the advantage of tbe experience of tbe Committee, who had peculiar means ;of knowing the deserving and undeserving poor of the city. The Government expenditure for benevolent purposes was less in Wellington, comparatively, than in any other large centre ef population in the Colony, but he claimed that as much good bal been done here as in any other Provincial District; and this was largely due to the careful administration of the funds of the Inatituticn. Possibly sometimes they might be deceived In relieving undeserving persons, but who among them had not been deceived in private giving ? He frequently had ; yet be would rather be imposed on by six, aye a hundred, loafers, than allow one deserving person to perish for want of assistance. Tbe case relieved was that of a poor woman without means, who was lying in a critical and dangerous condition. The Relieving Officer was called io, aud be procured a nurse and medical advice; and the woman’s life was saved. The''question wits, that the action of the Relieving Officer be agreed to ; and it was agreed to. Mr Warded said tbe Committee knew Mr McKenzie too well to Imagine that he would be an advocate for loafers. They had to give relief where needed, and tbe ajomr that was done the better. They could make inquiries immediately afterwards. It was better that they should be imposed on once or twice rather than that real cases of distress should be neglected or pat off. After a few remarks from the Rev Mr Van Htaveren, who said that bis reading of the report tallied with Mr McKenzie’s explanation, tbe subject dropped.