BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2253, 18 May 1881, Page 3

BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

The gentlemen constituting the committee of the Christchurch Benevolent Association of 1880 held a meeting at the Coffee Palace yesterday afternoon to consider the best means of disposing of the balance remaining from last year. There were present—Mr O. T. Ick (in the chair), the Eovs. Penny and Lingard, and Messrs Oliivier, Thomson, Mitchell and Pratt.

The Chairman having apologised for the absence of Messrs Henry Packer and Bosewame, explained that the meeting had been called to decide what should be done with the funds in hand, some £2B 11s 6d, being chiefly the result of the sale by Mr Alport of the committee’s furniture and other effects used last year. From enquiries made he feared that there would be a considerable amount of distress in Christchurch during the coming winter, and he would suggest that the balance in hand should be regarded as the nucleus of a fund which might bo raised to relieve cases of poverty in the district. They were of course aware that the Government were about to introduce a Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, which would deal comprehensively with the subject, next session of Parliament, but they could scarcely look forward to anything being done this winter in the way of giving effect to a totally new measure, seeing that it would take some time to put the machinery properly in motion. In view of some local endeavors being made in this direction, therefore, he had already spoken to Mr Foster, proprietor of the Coffee Palace, and that gentleman had said he would be prepared to supply substantial meals on behalf of the association at 3d per meal.- It would be seen that the committee were in a position to supply something like 2000 meals at that rate with the funds already in hand, and he recommended the idea for their consideration. Another object the committee might hold in view was to find employment at a low rate of wages for men out of employment, but who were willing to work, so that they might bo put in the way of earning at least sufficient to keep them. Mr Pratt thought the simplest form of administering the funds would be the issuing of tickets for meals. The Chairman had omitted to mention that Mr Foster had books of coupons, which could be used, members of the committee distributing them where necessary. Mr Oliivier hoped and believed that the distress this winter would not be so great as it was last.

Mr Mitchell suggested that in considering what was to be done, the committee ought to be guided very muoh upon the amount likely to be subscribed in addition to the funds in hand, because he felt that there might be difficulty in raising subscriptions, and that the committee would have to shut their eyes to many of the strong and healthy applicants who received regular relief last year. [Hear, hear.] Mr Thomson thought that, whilst the chairman’s plan of using coupons would answer very well for one class of people, viz., the healthy able-bodied men who could shift for themselves, it would prove a failure in the case of another class who were more entitled to consideration, and whom they really wanted to get at, namely, the helpless women and children. He believed there were many men who could obtain employment at Ja low rate of pay, but would not put their hand to anything under the ruling wages. Personally he would not assist such men to the extent of a farthing. Men who were in want of food and would not take 5s a day deserved to starve. He spoke with considerable knowledge of the subject from his long connection with the administration of charitable aid, and the Board of which he was chairman frequently had appeals of a most impudent character made to them. Ho approved of the chairman’s suggestion as to establishing an agency to assist men helping themselves.

The Eev. Mr Lingard pointed out that married men could not go into the country for work at a low rate of wage, and at the same time keep their families in town, Mr Ollivier said that was one of the evils. The men would leave their wives behind them in town, where rent and living are dear.

The Bov, Mr Penny explained that men with children could not find covering in the country during the pressure of bad times. Many evidences of this had come under his observation.

Mr Lingard thought the form that relief should take would bo to supplement the work of the Charitable Aid Board by supplying blankets and fuel. Mr Mitchell entertained a similar conviction, They would have to confine their attention chiefly to providing coals and blankets. With regard to the cheap labor aspect of the question, he did not agree with former speakers. Labor would always find its level, in the usual course, and he did not think it became a body like themselves to take the initiative in reducing the price, Mr Ollivier pointed out that no subsidy had been received by the association on account of the sum expended in charitable relief last year, and suggested that an application should bo made to the Government. If they got a reasonable bonus oa the money expended it would place them on a good footing. Some further discussion ensued, during which Mr Ick urged that something might bo done by way of an appeal to the people at once, but eventually it was determined that, in the words of the Bcv. Mr Penny, “Any good done in that way would be more than counterbalanced by the evil likely to accrue from doing anything prematurely,” that was, before they knew what the Government proposed to do in the matter. It was decided, therefore, to adjourn till after the meeting of Parliament —one month from date. (