THE PROPOSED MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2154, 1 April 1870, Page 2

THE PROPOSED MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

To the Editor of the Emduuj Star. Sn-;, — lam anxious to see tlie effort now being made a successful one. Allow me through your columns to give a word or two of caution against throwing an obstacle in the way of many in the shape of a money demand beyond what is absolutely necessary. If I understand the object of those at present moving in this matter, it is to enlist the sympathy and co-operation (for their own aud the public good) principally of that large

class of our fellow-citizens whose means of recreation and self-culture are necessarily few—viz., those who are engaged “ From moru till noon ; from noon till dewy eve ” behind the counter. A more praiseworthy object cannot well be conceived, or one more worthy of encouragement. But then it should he remembered that with the generality of those specially concerned, a money payment, however “trifling” it may appear to others, is to them an important consideration. With these objects in view, I am sorry to learn that a majority of the projectors of the proposed society seem disposed to tix the annual subscription at 7s 6d, to be paid first as entrance-fee 2s fid, subscription ss. If this be persisted in, I fear it will prove fatal. Indeed, I have heard it put forth by several already as an obstacle in their way. I would therefore suggest that for the present at least the question of “annual subscription ” should be allowed to stand over, and that a simple entrance-fee of 2s fid should be all the demand made. If this suggestion be adopted, it would be a fair test of the desire entertained to co-ope-rate for the attainment of the “ objects” professedly in view. Depend upon it, that should the result be (as I hope it would) a very general response, the Society would not Ire allowed to languish for want of necessary funds. Members themselves, being in actual possession and enjoyment of the Society’s advantages, would have a stronger inducement to “strain a nerve” for their preservation, than they would now while the matter can only be regarded in the light of an experiment. Besides, let it only be once demonstrated that a large number of the class I have referred to are engaged—earnestly engaged—with a view to the realisation of the proposed Society’s “objects,” and Dunedin will not be the place in which such efforts will be defeated for lack of a cheerful recognition and timely aid.—Yours, &c., Live and Leabn. April 1, 1870. P. S. —It should be understood that the question of the 5s “ subscription” is not yet decided, but will come up for discussiou at Tuesday evening’s meeting, which all may attend upon the simple payment of the “ entrance fee of 2s fid,” as a guarantee of good faith. I sincerely hope a sufficient number favorable to the views I have set forth will qualify themselves, and at Tuesday’s meeting succeed in carrying them into effect. —L.*aud L.