The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, SEPT. 24, 1892. Charitable Aid

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 42, 24 September 1892, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, SEPT. 24, 1892. Charitable Aid

I «. The gradual withdrawal of the subsidies to Local Bodies by the present and the preceding administrations was not so much felt at first, but as the demands of those unfortunates whose necessities compel them to seek Charitable Aid have increased almost at the same percentage as subsidies have been reduced, the several local bodies now begin to find that they have the burden of a responsibility resting upon them which is growing heavier every day, while their means of reducing it are diminishing. The natural result of this is that the members of local bodies, being for the most part practical men of good common sense, are beginning to consider the position. The first question which had suggested itself to them is whether they have not been too indiscriminate in their charities, and thereby created a pauper class who are only too willing to live at ease on the earnings of the industrial classes. The answer to this would appear to be in the affirmative. We have no desire to convey the impression that we are in any way opposed to benevolence, for none can have greater respect for Him who " hath a tear for pity, and a hand open as the day for melting charity " than we possess, but the stern fact must be recognised that the thing has been overdone. Charitable aid has been granted in cases where its having been withheld would have encouraged the applicants to have struck out a path for themselves, and earned an independent livelihood. Too much has been taken for granted, and because reckless husbands have deserted their wives and families, the local bodies have accepted their charge and become •' husbands to the widow and fathers to the fatherless " until in many instances husbands and wives have separated "by mutual consent, " well knowing that while the one who should be the bread-winner was away in other parts of the world, the wife and children, these " hostages to fortune," were cared for here and provided with all the necessities and requisites of life " free, gratis, and for nothing. " It is this abuse of charitable aid which is creating a revulsion of feeling quite as much as the reduction of the subsidies. Men can •' hear with their ears and see with their eyes" the abuses of the system. Here we have a widow Hying on charity — who sends her daughter to receive lessons on the piano; there we see another woman who will only have the best joints from the butcher. At all places of amusement, dances, or public gatherings which can only be attended by the outlay of money, do we find these people. We do not say they should not seek means of enjoyment, but they have no moral right to find them at the public expense. While these professional paupers are living in ease and comparative affluence many real cases of deserving poverty are overlooked, for the reason that the unfortunates are too proud to bring their condition under the notice of those who would be rendered happy by having an opportunity given them of performing a good action. In conclusion we can only expect that the local bodies will not only be more careful in administing charitable aid, but they will so reduce the amounts allotted that idle and imprudent persons will no longer depend on alms alone for, their subsistence.