THE FLOTSAM

NZ Truth, Issue 1178, 28 June 1928, Page 5

THE FLOTSAM

Two Little Studies In Contrast (From "N.Z. Truth's" :• Palmerston North Rep.) Late one' stormy Saturday night m June, 1926, a man, down and out, stood shivering m the doorway of one of Palmerston North's banks. There he was perceived by, the constable 'on night duty and requested to move on. , "LJAVE a heart,", answered the . * stranger. "God's roof is full of holes, and leaking badly to-night. This is the warmest spot on earth for me." "But a bank door Is suspicious shelter," replied the constable. "Have you tried for a bed?" . "From whom?" the stranger asked, ironically. , "The charitable aid officer," explained the man on duty. And so the hospitable doorway was forsaken and the elements braved as far as the charitable aid officer's residence. ,Ten 'minutes iater, a thankful stranger lay snugly beneath blankets m a near-by boarding-house, with' the price of his night's rest and breakfast stowed under his pillow for safety's sake. . ' ; ! The sequel was witnessed a few days ago, when a well-dressed man, whom the charitable aid officer failed to recognize after the lapse of two ypsjrs, knocked at his door to repay the financial help given him so long before. He explained the purpose of his second visit, asking how much he owed, his benefactor. '.-'■•'■- " Four shillings," he was told. "Well, here's a £1 and I don't want a receipt," • "That £1," remarked the charitable aid officer concerned (F. Aisher) to "N.Z. Truth's" representative,' "-will bring m another £1 by way of Government subsidy." SWEET CHARITY? The second story wag related by the matron of a nursing home who has had her faith shaken so far as practical sisterhood is concerned. "About a year ago," she told "Truth's" representative, "I was asked to take care of a little baby boy of another race, whose mother, not understanding English, could not be taught the Flunket idea of Infant feeding, and whose ignorance on the subject had already cost her ths lives of two little' ones. "I was very busy at the time," added the matron, "and realizing the extra amount of work this Chinese baby would entail, I refused. "However, I finally agreed to take th,e baby when the secretary of an already overcrowded children's home and a popular medico stirred my sympathies. "That Chinese mite was very ill when I saw. it, but now it has grown under Plunket treatment, into a bonny, healthy and quaintly fascinating little person, bubbling' over with merriment and goodwill — full of affection towards those who have set his footsteps on the path of health. "And my reward," continued the matron, "is a practically empty hospital. "And is it true," she asked, "that women of New Zealand club together to send missionaries to convert the heathen and yet will not tolerate one little olive- skinned face under the same roof? "My bit of missionary effort, done m kindness to a little stranger, has-caus-ed the majority of young mothers of Palmerston North to turn down my hospital. This is the naked truth I am telling you, "I have heard it whispered on all sides that expectant mothers will not come under my charge while these alien children are here. "However, the little 'intruder' is moving on next month, although he will always be to me an unpleasant reminder of how very thin is the veneer of sisterhood, after all."