SLIMY SALV'ARMY SLANDERS

NZ Truth, Issue 78, 15 December 1906, Page 5

SLIMY SALV'ARMY SLANDERS

ON LITTLE CHILDREN IN THEIR 'APPY 'OMES. Paulina's Pinch-penny Appeal Through the Press. * During the week an appeal has been made through the columns of the daily papers' for funds to provide Christmas cheer for the children m the Salvarmy Homes throughout- the colony. The letter m which, this app.eai is conveyed is signed by A. Paul, Women's Social Section, Christchurch. On the face of it any effort to provide the children with a few additional comforts and luxuries during, the joyous Christmas season must commend itself to anyone. What is to be regretted is that the author at the letter (who is, by the way, 'the donor of the .Paulina Home m Wellington) should see fit to distort facts m such an extravagant manner us togive pain to many, and leave an absolutely "wrong Impression m the. minds of many more. Miss Annette J*aul, m her letter, appeals on behalf of the friendless poor, the fallen, "'the orphans' and neglected children." Again she says "for the sake of the children, (he off--spring of the >amn\card, the thief,, and the tramp, for itftose young lives over -whom sin and adverse circumstances have flungtthe dreadful pall of gloominess and wretchedness— for. ; these may'l ask help, and brightness, for Christinas." All this is very p&tkettic. and no doubt true. But. 'tlie lady hasn't" stated the whole truth., apd it is her neglecting to do so itfeat &as caowd considerable heartbuiinnig and indignation. J . By Miss Paul's letter ithß' vcadoc would be led to suppose that ike ci»ly children received m the 'Horses uio the offspring of drunkards, ■■thicva/i and tramps. That is not so. As a \wai"ter of fact a lacge number of Ajiildren of respectable but unfortunate parents are received there, their • parents contributing ;so much per week towards their support. At the.fclliecstreet Home there are at .present Wo children whose parents have gone on atrip to England. They are paying ;y sum amply sufficient for the support; of their youngsters until their it- . turn, Another child m the Home •>. that of a hard-working married \vnman. Husband and Wite live .apart, but the mother pays- 7s (3d ps: vrek for the child's keep and the f«U:ur provitips clothing. Other cases rninhf, be cited, but these will ruiTicp fc -AAwu >w lhat Miss Paul, m her appeal m ',}>.&■ miblic, has cast a ouite imiiisi-i'i.Uile ' ' slur on many parents nnd child iviil Needless to say such children arc not; received into the Homes except atsuch rates which suffice, not only tq, cover the cost of mainteininr "them, but also allow of a profit Veins; made. Tfnt hem*" ••o. i! ••? .lm-U. h\dped r>n Ihese kiddie* to he K'it'Ri;-.-tised m the public mos;, ns ilif- oitspring of drunkards, ihicvt-s ami tiftmpfl.