The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1910. THE HARD-UP SWAGGER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14156, 16 March 1910, Page 4

The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1910. THE HARD-UP SWAGGER.

it is ofton said that the indigent gravitate to the towns, and it is no wonder that they do so, if the discussion at yesterday's meeting of tlio Charitablo Aid Board correctly represents their chances of obtaining relief elsewhere. Mr Francis, Mayor ol "VVaimato, inquired what attitude tlio lioaid took up towards the casual indigent, or what was the Board's duty in regard to such people. Tlio chairman, quite properly 110 doubt, from the legal point of view, said that the Board is not. required by law to tsiko up any definite attitude with regard to them. Reference to the Act of last, session shows that the Hoard " mav " apply its funds to tlio relief of indigent persons, whilst it "shall'' apply its funds to the provision and maintenance of hospitals. "There is no compulsion upon us to do anything for that class of persons." said the chairman, and lie agreed with a suggestion that the Board bad no duty to do anything, except as a Board in mooting assembled. Tlio Act, seems to support, this view, for it says that the Board can do nothing unless a quorum—a majority of members—is present. The gravitation to the centres is encouraged by the fact that the executive officer of the Board is authorised to give temporary reliei " in urgent cases, and ithas been customary to givo a hard-up swagger a "feed" at the Old Men's Home. Mr Gillingliam said that in the Fairlio district that is done in a neighbourly way; Mr Francis, that this custom of the old days is no longer in favour in the Waimato district. The indigent are therefore better treated i in the centres; no wonder they " gra- i vitate " to them. The question is a ! very difficult one, but it should be i faced, and rules drawn up for the guidance of representatives of the Board in ' country districts, so that there may be i some sort of equality in administration, i and some sort of regard for the moral I though not the statutory duty of the ' Board. The "may" of the Charitable j Aid Act should be construed generously i j rather than stingily, for the poor wo j j have frequently if (fortunately) not. al- i I ways with us. Tt is quite clear that i ' i r Mr Frnncis' correctly stated the ' of "ton W! -tv! V-'rfnst." j for the h-.rd'ip s'.v:'ggpf' in Wnin-ni, :

f: : r-tL. ;' r:i' 1 ■ iv n .*n<l. »I. t: .. n .. .. 'lll S l\ • 'his; I . -. 11 i> ! other (I'.-.tritiis, Kairlie e:<'-ept-.-<J of course.