The Sun THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1914. POVERTY IN THE CITY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 107, 11 June 1914, Page 6

The Sun THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1914. POVERTY IN THE CITY.

The publicity given in another column to some rather distressing eases of destitution in the city 'will; we hope, serve as a reminder to charitably disposed persons that a donation to the Coal and Blanket Fund would be both timely and acceptable; He gives twice who gives quickly. The fact that most of the poverty is due to intemperance, improvidence, and the callousness of |men who desert their wives and families sdoes not alter the fact that it is the bound en duty of those who have enough and to spare of this world's goods to reach out a helping hand to those in distress. It is easy to preach a stfrmon on-the value of thrift, or to say that there is nothing like a taste of poverty to make people realise the importance of putting aside something for a rainy day, but that will not help the deserted wife to keep a roof over the head of her children, . or put food into the mouths of the family whose breadwinner has been taken from them by accident or disease. Much needless distress would be prevented if more effective means could be devised for dealing with the heartless scoundrels who raise- a family and then clear out, leaving them to shift'for themselves. 11 is a difficult, problem to deal with, and perhaps- the fact that there are so many institutions to which neglected children ■ can be committed by magistrates, arts more or less as an incentive tc wife-deserters to rid themselves of obligations-that have proved more irksome than they anticipated. There \ seems to be no doubt, however, ; that tliere is more .destitution' than usual this winter. Some of it may be attributable to the displacement of workers as the result of the strike, and thereto bound to.be many instances of men who make a point; of refusing anything but a 1; bouring job in the vicinity of the city. r ond who find it pretty hard to get i oiiough to do to carry them through the winter. If they can scratch along for the next six or eight weeks of broken weather.-their position 'will soon improve. In. the meantime those-who can find work for unemployed labourers, or who feel disposed to relieve those who are going hungry as the result of misfortunes should get into communication with the Mayor or the energetic secretary of the Coal and Blanket Fund as soon as possible.