SUPERFLUOUS CHARITY

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1924, Page 1

SUPERFLUOUS CHARITY

Saitli Sided the Sage:—“There came unto me a man who besought me that 1 would give unto him my endorsement of this brand-new Philanthropy, and incidentally that 1 would make a Financial Contribution towards its Running Expenses.” “And 1 inquired of him, saying: What is the purpose ol this Organisation and how far is its work a Benefit, and to what extent doth it attempt to Duplicate the effort of other Organisations? “And his answers were Not Satisfactory. For it seemed to me that Society needed his organisation about as much as a goat needeth a secondhand Side-saddle.

“And 1 inquired: What is the History of this Organisation - “And lie said: The name of this Organisation hath been changed. It came into existence in the dark days of the World War. It was then known as the Society for the (are of Deserted War Brides. And it seemed unto those of us who ministered so faithfully through the Organisation ihal its Noble Work was not done; therefore tune \vc Reorganised for our present Worthy Object, which is the remnmtfin tine of Broken-down Fords into Baby Carriages for the Childless Rich. “And I said, it would seem to me that the present Worthy Object of this Organisation is to provide Salaries for the Office Force of the late lamented Society for the Care of Deserted War Prides, it being itself a bride of that description. “And lie was grieved. “And 1 said, Hearken. It is said among the men who manage Railways that anyone from the General -Superintendent down to a Section Ross can order out a Snow-plow, but that not even the President of the Road hath authority to order it out of commission. “And lie said, I fail to see the application. “And I said, it is far easier to Create new Organisations than it is to bury those that by their death ought to Glorify God. “Yet do those in charge of Organisation.-, lament their Demise, and find Many Excuses why an Organisation devised for One Good Cause should he remodelled to fit another, and to continue to pay Salaries unto those who serve the Organisation. “And he was grieved still further. “And I said, far lie if from me to grieve thee. Yet I speak forth the words of truth. In one block ot a great city where I live are Forty-nine Organisations operating for the relief of Poverty which slmweth no sign of being Relieved. There is one Organisation to which 1 should like to Contribute, and that is a Society to bury Superfluous Benefit Organisations. “And he went awav sorrowful.”— i “The (‘ongregntionalist.”)