ORPHANDOM.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 772, 3 October 1922, Page 5

ORPHANDOM.

(To the Editor). Sir.-—Re a .latter appearing in your paper on Friday, 29th, ovqr the anonymous name qf “Orphandom.” I was shocked beyond words to read such a letter, more especially when the signatui'e was looked at. lam quite certain that at least 99 per cent, of (the members of the Orphans Club are gentlemen, If we have a totter amongst us, personally I do not think we have, I would be very pleased to ask him to resign, as he must prove a source, of annoyance to the large proportion of the members.] Ido not say it was quite in order (fov a lady collector to come to our meeting soliciting support for any object, and! in • this particular case. I do not know if permission had been given. I certainly was not approached on the matter. But 1 do say, as Orphans and as gentlemen* there was no haijm 'in a lady coming to our meeting, no more than is.in ladies cgllecting on the bowling green or other places frequented: by men. The Orphans are not a Secret Society, but a band oi men ckibed togathdr for intercourse. As expressed by Professor Maxwell Walker., the president of the Auckland Orphans’ Club to better understand one another: to try and help one another; to come closer together in the bonds of brotherhood and good fellowship ; to more clearly show we do not object to ladies is that practically all cubs under the banner of Qrphand!om, has at least one ladies’ night each session. fT'here is one rernark referred to in “Orphandom’s” letter that should show the author of it is not an Orphan, As if he was he should know we do not canvas for members It is quite possible . the citizen referred to was never asked to join or if he was and? did not care to'join that is no affairs of the club and should not be referred to by any member of the club, more, .especially in an insulting letter to the Press, I have no hesitation in saying that if this writer signing himself “Orphandom” is a memb.eir of our club he should come out openly and! apologisfe through the Press for having written such a spiteful and ungentlemanly letter, no doubt written in angetr without thinking, Gentlemen or Orphans should if they see weaknesses in others, try to uplift or assist, not to push down by malicq, or some petty grievance, as has apparently been done in this case. I am' personally very sorry . the lettdr referred to was ever sent to the paper, buf having done so, I feel that I cannot let it pass without strongly resenting such cowardly tactics: —I am, etc. C K. LAWRIE. ■’