Comments on Passing Events.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 2009, 24 December 1886, Page 2

Comments on Passing Events.

Wcluxotom, Dm U

Chiutabu Aid. Great effort! bare been made daring the year to collect sufficient money by voluntary contributions tor the hospital and for other charitable purposes, and ysstetday was *st apart as a general collection day all round. I bare no doubt a large amount will be collected as there is s general desire to avoid a “ poor rate ’’ if possible ; but than is a murmuring of discontent on the port of many, which will no doubt be taksn up by the majority in time, that theee voluntary contributions ate bring paid mostly by tbs washing dosses. In a discussion on this subjest I heard the argument used that because those in need of charity come from the ranks of the working classes that the poor people should contribute towards their support, ni rebutting argument was used that ah should contribute according to their means, which may be considered the most fait to all parties. “ Charity begins at home ” is a very old and true saying, and it is generally considered that the present system is taking money franc those who should keep it for their own domestic purposes. However, one establishmeat in which a large number of men an employed, have objected to put anything down on the list on the ground that the rich are not oontribotiog their fair abate. Tbia will no doubt be followed by menyaore, and a poor rate will be the result. I heard one working man say, in talking of this matter, that if a rate was struck be would only have to pay one shilling a year, but under the present system he bed contributed at least £1 in small sums at various times daring the year. I see one borough eonaril has struck a 3d poor rate, and this may be considered as the first step which will, in course of time, be followed throughout the country. I should not be surprised if Wellington did not follow suit before long if those who are well able to afford it de not at ouoo assist liberally as an encouragement to those less able, but, perhaps, more willing. Besides this special call on the general public than are innumerable numbers of oases of distress which call for assistance. Some esses an extravagantly relieved while others eta not relieved at all. It may not be oat of plan here to say a word or two on this subject. Some time ago upwards of £2OO was subscribed for the relief of one family, simply because it was brought prominently before the public, while other case* are considered amply relieved by the sum of £2O or leas. I would suggest that these oases, aa far as possible, should be placed under tbs charge of the Charitable Aid Board, and that a certain rate should be allowed say, of £2O to the —■ widow and so much for each child under Id years of age ; whatever was subscribed over this amount would be devoted toother deserving oases ; but that those io distress should be made a great deal better off than many who contributed, or, in fact, receive e small fortune, while others sre scarcely relived at all, seems ridiculous. This would not of course prevent sums being given privately by those who desired to do so, and who considered the case worthy of exceptional treatment. To show that there is a good demand on the obarity of the general public, your humble servant has had not law than four people asking him to buy tickets for concerts the proceeds of which wee* to be devoted to some osse of distress. Tbs last one was for a fireman who had broken bis leg, and when I told him that I could not afford it-for a literary man ie aiwaya too poor to afford anything— he coolly remarked when going away " That it was to be hoped that my house would not catch fire.” What he meant I do not know, I took it as a aott of threat or intimidation. A* I have said on a previous occasion, there are more prastieol and useful wsprs of assisting those in distress tbsn by bending over a lump sum of money. They can be started in a small way of bustness, or placed upon some land, Aa. ; it only requires a little discrimination to piaea people on the proper road to assist themselves—a principle which should be carried out oa all occasions whan any aaristanas is reodsusd, that it may result in permanent good. OoboMaL.

Another attempt is to be made to work the Caswell Sound marble quarries. The lonic, just arrived at Auckland, brings 1000 canaries, betides nightingale*. robin* baUftailM, At*