THE LIBRARY BEGGARS. Carnegie Administers a Snub.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 195, 26 March 1904, Page 6

THE LIBRARY BEGGARS. Carnegie Administers a Snub.

IT has come at last. And not a bit too soon Andrew Carnegie, the Scotch-American multi-millionaire, who gives away libraries, has got tired of New Zealand importunities, and gives a piece of his mind. Heaven grant it may have a salutary effect The Lance takes credit to itself that it vas first among New Zealand journals to raise a protesting voice when from Dunedm went forth the original begging appeal to the Iron King to- have compassion, and, out of his wealth, spare a few thousands for the establishment of a piiblic library. * ♦ ♦ No sooner was the news to hand that Andrew had yielded to that supplication made on behalf of Dunedin, than the evil example spread through the colony, and local bodies — principally small ones, thank the Lord — began to pour m their begging j>etitions right and left. We have time and again called attention to this ignoble conduct, and pointed out how these people were besmirching the fair fame of the colony by stooping m their corporate capacity to piactices which as individuals they would starve rather than demean themselves to. * • But, the corporate cuticle is abnormally thick. Still, the snub which Andrew Carnegie has just administered to the Invercargill Borough Council's solicitation for alms may pierce it, and awaken a sense of shame. He says — "Invercargill has a library building, with ample funds, both m mam supplied by public, and Mr. Carnegie does not see any practical difficulty m the way of making it a free public library vwithout any assistance from him or anybody else " Hear, hear, and hip, hip, hurrah ' » ♦ * If the sturdy independence of the good people of Invercargill doesn't move them to rise m righteous anger and call t:> account the persons who were responsible for making their city cut such a sorry figure in the eyes of the world, then it ought to. The coolness of the request becomes simply monumental m the light of the explanation that the Invercargill Athenaeum, for which Mr Carnegie v. as entreated to shell out, is endowed with Crown Lands, and is a sub-scription-collecting institution. No wonder Andrew sent off the impudent beggar with a cuff on his ear. * * * In striking contrast with the tame and spiritless public opinion of some of these large towns which have allowed begging appeals to go forth in their name to Mr. Carnegie, we are glad to noto the ring of manly self1 cliancs from way-back hamlets on the very frontiers of colonisation u heie the comforts of urban life are Jpckmg. In little remote Taihape they are talkmp of starting a library. r»nd someone ventured to suggest Mr. Carnegie mi« ht be asked for a dona^ tion T Tnhke the large city dailies the tin} "ri-weekly "Post" didn't deem it wise and politic to hold its tongue On the contrary it prompt^ said — "It is to be hoped no such foolish step will be taken We have surely enough independence in our nature to cause us to shrink from approaching the American millionaire with cur hats in our hands begging for a crust from his table. If we want a library, let us pet one, but let it be (■y our own exertions"

That is the spirit which we regard as most consonant with our traditions and self-esteem as a people, and most worthy of the stock from which we spring. Let us not beg, or fawn, or cringe to any private individual for means to supply ourselves with libraries or anything else. It is really a pitiful and degrading thing for public bodies in New Zealand to be suing the Steel King of Pittsburg for alms to help them start public libraries. In Heaven's name let us have no more of it. If Mr. Carnegie chooses of his own free will to make donations for thisi or any other public purpose, well and good. But, don't let us forfeit our self-respect and prostitute our good name by clamouring like a pack of hungry paupers for a share of the coppers that he may amuse himself by scattering abroad