A FLAGRANT EXAMPLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5961, 28 August 1897, Page 4

A FLAGRANT EXAMPLE.

The Chairman of the Investigating C :..» mittee was reading his monthly rf< v v.*the Red Tape Charity Society. " We find, he began, "that the j.v .a^&t obstaole we have to contend against is indiscriminate charity. Misguideci pa^le will sometimes feed the hungry, clo '••• fcne naked, and harbour the harbourlesk wifchout any inquiry as to whether thoße succoured are worthy. I observed a flagrant example of this kind of folly last week in my own block. Fire broke out in a flat house, and the tenants were obliged to hurry to the street in their night clothes. I immediately went among them, of course, to do the good work for which our sooiety was established. Calling some of the tenants aside, I began to take their names and make inquiries about their previous lives so that we might make a proper investigation, report to the society, and relieve those who might be fouud worthy after due deliberation. " In the midst of my work people living across the street rushed over and shouted to the tenants to come to their houses. The whole crowd left me and accepted the invitation. Tes, gontlomen, my work was rendered useless by these foolish people Would you believe it? They took iv the tenants without a word of inquiry, gavo them food, drink, and beds and loaned them olothes. It was impossible to restrain my indignation. I went to one of tho houses, .saw the owner and protested against this indiscriminate charity, telling him that it promoted pauperism and helped to undo the good work of the society. What do you think was the man's answer ? " Why, ho threatened to kiok me out of the house,"