CHARITABLE AID.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12068, 25 July 1917, Page 4

CHARITABLE AID.

HOSPITAL BOARD DISCUSSION. "NO COMPLAINTS." At to-day's meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Boar/l, Mr W. H. Cooper, in accordance with notice given at the previous meeting, moved—"That this board grants an extra sum of £2OO to be placed at the disposal of the Charitable Aid Committee for distribution amongst the most deserving eases with a view to making up for the extra cost of living, there being a number of widows with children dependent whd are amongst the recipients of relief." Mr Cooper said that the motion fully explained, his sentiments, and it was his own. Ho had not been approached by any outside organisation. He realised that 'the greatest numbers of the recipient's of charitable aid were women and children, and in the winter months their distress was greatly increased. Widows, or women with "waster" husbands, had a difficult task, and the board was not doing all it could to help these poor people. He had at first intended to ask for £SOO, but thought, that amount would not bo agreed to. Mrs E. Wilson seconded the motion, and said that all must have sympathy with the deserving cases. Wasters came before tho board, but their dependents should not suffer. She felt quite ashamed sometimes of the small amount given in charitable aid. Mr F. Horrell said, that he could not support the motion. Whers was the £2OO to come from? When deserving cases came before 'the committee, increased allowances were made. He had heard of no complaints from the recipients that the grants were not enough. Tt was public money being used, and the board must be careful. He thought they had been fairly liberal.

Mr H. B. Sorensen complimented'Mr Cooper on his kindly thoughts towards the poor, and said that it was not the first time he had acted so; but the committee had ample power to treat each case on its merits. Hie increased cost of food would, be recognised by all, but the proposed grant of £2OO would stultify the powers of the committee, and lie would hare to vote against the motion. Mr F. G. Norton said that he was totally out of touch with Mr Cooper in this matter, and he thought the motion was quite uncalled for. The Charitable Aid Board was not a compensation board, but a hoard to assist. He knew that many of the recipients were not satisfied, but the committee did its best and had to act fairly between the ratepayers and the recipients. All dispensing boards met with a. .lot of grumbling. Mr W. M'Millan said that he. regarded the motion as one of no-confidence in themselves. The committee had a hard task at times. Tt wa.s difficult to discern the deserving and the undeserving. They must encourage thrift.

Mr J. Patcrson said that it was wartime and everybody must make sacrifices. Tt was unfair, in his opinion, the way the charitable aid was given out. The country recipients usually fiocked to the towns, where the cost of living was higher. He contended that recipients of charitable aid should not he allowed to leave the country for the towns. How much extra per head would the proposed grant give!-* The Hon W. Moore said that in his experience the applicants for aid had been fairly treated. These people could not, of course, always get all they asked for, as the board's funds were limited. He was not a member of the committee now, hut believed the committee did its best. He thought, the motion should be rejected. If the £-1500 granted on the estimates proved insufficient the board would support an overdraft. Mr H. J. Ofcley said that as chairman of the Finance Committee he would say that the Charitable Aid Committee deserved the thanks of the community, and Mr Cooper was to he commended for his thought for the poor. But the motion was inopportune at thin juncture, as the committee still had its quota for the remainder of the year in hand. He would oppose any increase of the estimated grants, unless very good cause was shown. Ho suggested that the motion should be withdrawn.

Mr Cooper, in reply, said that he was surprised at the attitude taken up by several speakers. As for there being no complaints, those who said they had not heard any should come and live in the city, then they would hear enough complaints. As for the smallness of tho extra, grant, it would alleviate distress, small as it was. The motion had been brought forward from a flood motive.

Mrs Wilson said that she gathered from the speeches that the committee could draw on the board for any reasonable amount, and she would remember that when considering applications for relief. Tlie motion wn.s lost on the voices.

A letter received from Mr H. Justem on the subject of the allowances in charitable aid granted by the board was referred to the committee to report, Mr Horrell stating that some of the statements made were unfounded.