THE CADGE CRAZE

NZ Truth, Issue 539, 16 October 1915, Page 7

THE CADGE CRAZE

Pennies for Patriotic Purposes

Children and Their Coppers

(From "TruttfsH Christchurch Rep.)

When, at the beginning of the war, the various public schools m and around Christcburch raised money for patriotic and other purposes, by means of subscriptions among the scholars, the scheme had much to commend it and ,tbe moral effect on the patriotic }B9U7KrtB at the youngsters made the Whole effort worth while. Since the first few collections were taken up, the introduction of subscription lists m oertaln schools has BECOME A CRAZE, and the parents of the poorer class of children are beginning to feel the strain of constantly dipping- into the shallow household purse, for the sake of satisfying the patriotic ambitions of school teachers, who are constantly launching fresh schemes for the collection of funds/ Doubtless the collections are all based on laudable motives and it cannot be denied that the cause j la deserving. Still, there are adequate grounds foe, at any rate, some teachers to exercise a reasonable amount of discretion m the matter and make less frequent appeals to the children. Of course, it doesn't seem out of the way for a school teachor to ask the children for pennies once or twice a week, or even to suggest that they, should bring along a pair of socks, comb, toothbrush, or any little thing which might be utilised by the soldiers. It must be remembered, however, that m some families, and, m most instances those of the workers, the demands of three or four children have to be satisfied m this direction. In the home of the average workingman, and especially those with a fair muster of children, every penny has its .particular i^brk to perform, and the constant demands of the youngsters for V PENNIES FOR PATRIOTIC PURPOSES must, of a necessity, fall heavily on the resources of the parents. In appealing for funds, the school teachers Invariably impress on the children the fact that those whose, parents, cannot afford to give; are not OBke.di to give. Neverthe-' leBS, anyone who has ever attended a Urge public school, will readily concede that the average youngster regards the poverty of. its follow almost as a crime, { and that the child whose parents cannot afford to contribute every time tho subscription list comes forward, is shunned and taunted by his or her mates who have subscribed. Apart from the circumstance*! which render the over-frequent appeal for subscriptions objectionable m a public school, it has to be considered that the practice Is liable to foster dishonesty among the children. Afl things ore at present, the parents have absolutely no check on the contributions given their children. The child has merely to mention that another subscription list has been opened up at the school and. In tho ease of the parents who can Afford it. It contribution is immediately forthcoming. The parents may or may not hear anything more of that particular list "Truth" does not go so far an to saythat subscription lißts In aid of patriotic causes, should be altogether abandoned m the schools. On the contrary, they are Important In the patriotic Inspiration they afConl the children, to »ay nothing of tho splendid cause which they, assist In financing. Some check should' be placed on their frequency, boweyer, dnd SCfolE OFFICIAL INTIMATION ohould be given the parents of the children, when each collection is being taken up. The cost of a circular to the parent* would bo small and, with a subscription day fixed for each month. In* ■toad of indiscriminately, as at present, all children wouUi have equal opportunities, and there Is little doubt that the totals would tx> more subsiantinl.

A deliclously "refreshed" feeling !n Uke mouth and throat Is experienced after gurgling a leaapoonful or so of Flucasol (undiluted). The bacteria and mucouH accumulations are cleared *wuy. and that dryncsa and stuffed-up fe*ltng rapidly Jlxuppeara. Prepared Ujr a quallfled Chemtxt, Pluonzol Ih invmluable as a moraing mouth-wash. *