COLD CHARITY!

NZ Truth, Issue 474, 18 July 1914, Page 7

COLD CHARITY!

WRETCHED REDTAPEIi OF A BOARD. HOW THE SUffKING POOR ARE PENALISED. Samuel Gannon's little Growl.

' •■■ •-.».■ '■ •■■■.■'■ . New Zealand, like all other countries, has much to worry and ponder and one of tjie greatest, problems for the Government to consider at. all times is the providing of suitable accommodation for the Dominion's unfortunates. By unfortunates, "Truth" means those persons, who, through old age, consumption}, or other serious complaints, have their health affected to such an extent that they are incapable of earning their own livelihood, and have to depend UPON THE CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS to make life as comfortable as possible. Day after day the police bring before the Court old and feeble men and women, and charge them with vagrancy. In many cases the proceedings are taken with the. sole object of helping the unfortunates and endeavoring to get them proper care and attention. Inquiries are made at the various homes, but, m almost every instance, the answer is received that the accommodation is taxed to its utmost and the "unfortunate" has either to be turned again on to the streets or sent to gaol. The latter is generally decided upon as best m the individual's own interests. The present charitable institutions are totally inadequate and before long New Zealand is going to be. faced with a very serious problem. Last week there called upon "Truth" Samuel Gannon, an apparently respectable mau, over 60 years of age, a member of the well-known Now South Wales family of lawyers of whom the Hon. J. C. Gannon, K.C. and ex-Attorney-General of New South Wales is one. Gannon called upon "Truth" to voice a complaint ho had to make against Mr. A. Jones, of the Auckland Charitable Aid Board, through whom all applications for relief from the J3oard, or permission to enter the Costley* Home, as an inmate, must be made. Gannon's story to "Truth" was that he came to New Zealand from Australia mnny years ago and has been for some years living just outside Whangarei. He was a sufferer from ulcerated varicose veins, which became «o severe that he decided to come to Auckland. This he did and was treated by Drs. Stride and Magulre, of the Auckland Hospital. He also received attention from Dr. McKelvie, of the Costley Home. The latter gentleman considered that Gannon REQUIRED COMPLETE REST and recommended his admission to the Costley Home, but told Gannon that an order would be required from the ChurlUible Aid Board. Gannon says he took a letter from Dr. McKelvie to the Board'a oMcer, Mr. Jones, also a letter from Mr. J. J. Craig to Mr. J. M. Mcnnle, Chairman of the Board. He also interviewed Mr. Mennie, who promised that Gannon would be admitted to the Home. Later Gannon Haw Mr. Jones, who flatly refused to givo the required permit, which would admit Gannon to the Home, and instead offered to puy the man's faro to Whang&reif but would give no guarantee tbat Gannon would recelvo the necessary euro and proper attention 'when be got there. The position now is that Gannon Is at present walking about Auckland, although doctors have certified that his case Is a bad one. In order to learn If the position was accurately suited by Gannon, a "Truth" rep. later culled upon Mr. Jones at tho Board's ofllce and mentioned the matter. Mr. Joucs said It was one of thorns unfortunate en«c» In which the Board could give only flllßht un^ltttancc One of the remits- of the Board distinctly

stated, that no person, who belonged to another, t hospital district, could be admitted to the Costley Home. "I did all I could for him," said Mr. Jones, "but ho refused all help and seemed set upon getting into the Costley Home, which was, of course, impossible, not only because of the remit which distinctly prohibits tho admission of- a person belonging to another hospital district, but also because the accommodation is overtaxed now." Mr. Jones said it was quite true that Dr. McKelvie had given Gannon a certificate and also that Gannon's case was favorably considered by the Chairman, Mr. Mennie, but at that time neither of those gentlemen was aware that Gannon belonged to the Marsden district, and were tinder the impression that the' man belonged to the Auckland district. "In making the usual inquiries,", said Mr. Jones, "I found the man had been ab6\it 12 years m New Zealand, but during that time had been once to Sydney. He lived m the Marsden district and worked as a gumdigger during the last few years, and towards the end of last year came to Auckland. When I reported to the Board that he belonged to another hospital district, the » members agreed that he could not be admitted to the Costley Home. When I informed Gannon HE BECAME ABUSIVE. I offered to/secure him a ticket to take him back to Whangarei, and also enough money to see him over the night when he arrived there, but he emphatically declined any assistance unless he went to tho Costley Home. 1 ' * Mr. Jones added that all accommodation at tho Home was taken up and ho had three "unfortunates" waiting for beds. "Truth," however, while not doubting Mr. Jones' version of the afTair, must draw his attention to the fact that Gannon did not hide from anybody concerned that he came from Whangarei, and it was with the knowledge that Gannon came from Whangarei that Dr. McKelvie wrote the letter on his behalf. What, m Mr. Jones' mind is abuse, m the minds of others, would be legitimate remarks. Gannon is a well-educated man, down m his luck, ill and friendless. He, when informed of tho rcd-tapelsm of the Auckland Board, expressed his opinion freely on the rights of the taxpayer, and if Gannon'B word can bo relied upon, ho was not only insulted, but treated as paupers generally are. Gannon has since Informed "Truth" that he knew nothing of the offer of expenses, m addition to having his passage paid to Whangarei. Under the circumstances, "Truth" would now aiUi'o him to accept" the offer. Chariiy Is generally cold, but the oQlclal brand of it, is kept In tho refrigerator.