CHARITABLE AID CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3261, 19 October 1897, Page 4

CHARITABLE AID CONFERENCE.

The Conference of delegates of the Charitable Aid Boards of the colony to discuss all matters relating to charitable aid was held in the Council Chambers yesterday. _ Mr J. J. Devine was voted to the chair. The representatives from the West Coast and Nelson telegraphed that they would arrive to-day. Dr MacGregor (Inspector) and Mrs Grace Neill (Assistant Inspector of Charitable Institutions) were present. The following delegates also took part:—Messrs J. Talbot (Timaru), J. Hamilton, T. 0. Norris (Christchurch), J. Bellringer (Taranaki), Hon S. B. Shrimski (Oamaru), Messrs D. McLean (Napier), H. Brown (Hutt), A. M. Carmichael (Southland), W. H. Herries, (Waikato and Poverty Bay), D. Roche (Southland), J. T. Holland, W. Crowther, M.H.R. (Auckland), It. Thompson (North Auckland), J. McGowan (Thames), P. J. O'Regan, M.H.R, (Inangahua), W. H. Hall (Southland), H. Lange (Bullor). The rest of the members (four from the South) will arrive to-day. Mr Devine said this was the first Conference of Charitable Aid Boards that had been - hold in the colony, but these conferences were often held in England, and were of great public benefit. _ The Wellington and Wairarapa Charitable Aid Board had suggested the Conference, and it had been received with universal favour. They intended to discuss several matters relating to charitable aid, especially as to whether a change could be brought about in the mode of contribution. The suggested change had originated with Taranaki, and there appeared to be a general feeling in favodr of it. It seemed somewhat unreasonable that the burden should bo thrown as a special tax on landed and household property considering" the other heavy exactions it had to meet; He himself advocated that a special tax should be placed on bachelors and even on maidens over a certain age. One corollary of tho change—supporting charitable aid from the consolidated funds —would probably be Government representation on the boards and the breaking up of the districts into proper component parts. He, however, reminded the Conference .that the Local Government Bill, brought down by the Government and hot yet abandoned, proposed to thiow the burden of charitable relief on the ■local bodies, that is to say the ratepayers. A radical' change was wanted in the system of. affording out door relief. Many people contended that under the present system pauperism was given a legalised recognition, and a' sort of hereditary pauperism was springing up. Mr Devine then quoted figures showing that tho amount spent in . charitable relief of one kind and another in New Zealand was far greater than in tho other colonies. It was admitted that there could be much greater economy in the administration of charitable relief. He touched upon the working of the present Act, which was entirely ineffective, as there was no discrimination in giving relief. , Tho loafer and thriftless idlers received equal benefits with those who were really deserving. The principles of 1 manhood became easily sapped by tho present system. Against the imposition of loafers and impostors ho advocated the establishment of a Stato workshop where stone - breaking, &o , could be carried on in return for relief. Immorality and vice resulting from the overcrowding of large cities and the creation of slums were increasing the number of applicants for out-door relief. The aged needy should be placed in suitable hemes. Children should never bo placed with these who were themselves receiving relief. Tho question of more direct control by charitable aid boards of tho charitable institutions was also for discussion. At present the boards had no control or supervision. Thereshouldboa mocebnsiness-liko . method of distributing charitable aid. There were blher eubjecta which would have to bo discussed. After their discussions they might-put thoir-views in a concrete form and approach the Government on the subject. - After discussion, it was decided that each delegate should have a vote. A committee was drawn up to prepare an order paper. ■ A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman for his address. The Secretary then read a paper by H. F." Hastings; on “Tho - Solution of tho Charitable Aid Question.” A vote of thanks to Mr Bastings was passed, and- the Conference adjourned until 10 o’clock this morning.