EXPERIENCES OF A STREET COLLECTOR.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15870, 9 April 1917, Page 5

EXPERIENCES OF A STREET COLLECTOR.

TO THE EDITOR OF "TITE TRESS." Sir, —It "was most gratifying to learn from Saturday's "Press" that Soldiers' Day collection amounted to nearly £2000. Of coursc, the travellers' surprise packcts were the attraction. It seems awful, in war time, that people should expcct something lor their, money, which is intended lor war purposes or tho alleviation of suffcrinfi. I tell you from exporicnce, Sir, it is no easy job collecting money on tho street, no matter how good tho cause. From ultra fashionable ladies, in ninety-nine eases out of a hundred, they givo nothing, not even civility: pass with .their hcadti high in the air as if the collcctor was a worm beneath their notice. Judging from their expensive attire —which is not to their credit in war time—they ought to have some money for charities. The next type of lady, who gives the impression oi easy circumstances, doles out sixpences or threepenny pieces. Tho third type, whose face and dress denote a struggle with cireumstanccs, give their hard-earned shillings. A few men, and generally those of the better class, have neither money nor civility for the collcctor. "Wlicn I think of the men at the front, bearing their Avar burdeas, I feel tempted to kick such people ■ as they pass. People toll mo that collecting 011 tho streets is overdone, and they're tired of it; they never seem to think of it being the only way to. get the money, especially out of the class who otherwise contribute nothing to the war. I find from experience the people who five most are those who have husbands, sons, or brothers at the war. The writer would recommend a few hours' street collecting to those selfish people mentioned above, by way of teaching them patience, sympathy, and charity! —Yours, etc.. A STREET COLLECTOR.