SYDNEY’S POVERTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5165, 15 August 1927, Page 3

SYDNEY’S POVERTY.

TRINITY OF EVIL.

CITY MISSION’S WORK

“The Devil’s trinity of evil—'drink, gambling, immorality—are the chief causes of much of t'he distress and poverty which exist in Sydney to-day.”

This assertion is- embodied in the 6th report of the Sydney Mission, which was presented at the annual meeting.

The report goes on : “Whether Syd ney has slums and an under-world comparable to those of other great cities need not be considered seriously. The fact is that the problem of the city of Sydney, as it confronts the Christian Church find community, is an intensely complicated and difficult one. There are destructive, forces which daily are laying waste and wrecking lives and hojnes in Sydney to the jeopardy of the rising generation.”

The report points out that the primary work of the City Mission is to go from (house to house to read the Scriptures, engage in religious conversations and prayer, and 'encourage attendance at public worship. During the past year 36,163 visits were paid to homes, and over 1000 tracts and Scriptures- were distributed.. FREE FOOD FOR DESTITUTES. For 30 years a free breakfast has been provided every Sunday morning at Miler’s Point Mission Hall 'for homeless and destitute men, and during the year 17,835 free meals and 1230 free beds have been provided for such men. Through the coffee bar at the Mission Hall 26,000 meals were supplied' and 3000 cheap beds.

The work of feeding the hungry is carried on in general at aU the other ten branches of the mission. Another 17,194 free meals have been provided through the other mission halls.

The number of missioners and sisters on the staff is 24. The total receipts for the yeflr from all sources amounted to £2(1,475. A record sum of £10,326 was received from legacies.