CHARITABLE AID SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1352, 13 June 1885, Page 2

CHARITABLE AID SOCIETY.

A meeting was held in the Temuka Town Board office last Thursday evening, to take into consideration the advisability of forming a charitable aid society. There was a good attendance, and on the motion of Mr Miles Mr K. F. Gray took the chair. The chairman read the advertisement calling the meeting, and explained its object. He had no doubt that the promoters of it would give further information. He then called on the Rev, Mr Hamilton to address the meeting.

The Rev, Mr Hamilton then read an apology from the Rev. Mr Macintosh, who was unable to attend, but who expressed his sympathy with the movement, and promised his support ; also from Mr D. In wood who was absent through illness and who promised 'to do what he could. Mr Hamilton then said he had put himself in communication with gentlemen acquainted with the working of charitable societies, and on the information he had gained had drawn up some resolutions. It was beyond the power of any individual person to cope with the present distress, and he thought if a Society was formed money should not be given, but that orders for food and clothes should be given instead. Some people had an idea that the object of the Society should be to get work for those unable to obtain employment, but that would be entering into politics. The funds of the Society would be derived from donations, Government subsidy of £ for every £ raised, concerts, and collections in each church on one Sunday in each year. He moved—That a Benevolent Society be formed for th femuka Town and Road Districts, and that it be called the Temuka Benevolent Society.” The motion was seconded by the Rev. Mr Thomas and carried unanimously. \ Mr John Talbot suggested that they should have some basis to go upon.

The Rev. Mr Hamilton said he had intended to move a resolution to the effect that the Committee should consist of the Chairman of the Town Board, (he Town Clerk, the chief officer nf police, the ministers of the various religious denominations, and laymen representing' each of the churches as follows :—The Church of England, the Presbyterian Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Wesleyan Church each two, and one layman to represent the Primitive Methodist Church,

Mr Talbot would object (o anything of a denominational character. He moved —“That the membership subscription be one guinea per annum and that the Committee be elected by the subscribers,”

Mr C. J. Rayner seconded the motion

Mr Tvvnniey preferred the Rev. Mr Hamilton’s suggestion of putting representatives of each denomination on (ho Committee. If Mr Hamilton moved his resolution ho would second it.

The Rev. Mr Hamilton thought it would be better to have donations than subscriptions. As for the constitution of the Committee, he proposed that it be on the same principle as in other towns, where the Mayor and Town Clerk were ex-officio members. Here the Chairman of the Town Board took the place of Mayor. The various churches would devote one Sunday in the year to collections for that purpose. He would move “That the Committee consist of the Chairman of the Town Board, the Town Clerk, the chief officer of police, the ministers of religion, and six laymen from the various denominations.

The Rev. Mr Thomas said he had worked oa a similar Committee on the West Coast where clergymen of all denominations were present. He was in favor of a broad platform, and they could not have a broader one than that on which all could meet and be fully represented.

Mr Talbot would like to enlist the sympathy of everybody, but did not think this was the way to do it.

The Chairman would be in favor of making it quite undenominational. The Rev. Mr Thomas said the way the Rev. Mr Hamilton proposed would make it quite undenominational. Mr Goodey said he came ‘here to represent the working-men, and they should have representation on the Board. Mr Twomey ; Could you not trust the ministers of religion ? If working-men want to be on the Committee, the best thing they can do is to subscribe. I have as much sympathy wi|b working-men as anybody, but I hate humbug.

Mr Goodey said the tea-and-augar policy was what they did not want. They wanted to get work, and be settled on the land so that they might grow their own food.

A. long discussion then followed, resulting in Mr Talbot moving that the question of a Committee of Management be left over until the basis of membership be decided. The Rev. Mr Thomas seconded this motion.

Mr Talbot insisted that this was the proper course, and, on the resolution being put, it was carried without dissent. The meeting then proceeded to discuss Mr Talbot’s motion and Mr Hamilton’s amendment afresh,

Mr Talbot again insisted that the subscribers should elect the Committee. His reason for making it a guinea subscription was becouse by that means they would get more money. Who would elect the lay-members] The Rev. Mr Hamilton said that each Church could send its own representative. The Chairman said the matter of charitable aid would get beyond any society and Parliament would have to take it up. The charitable aid society was not a success in Timaru because it was too denominational. The moment it was made denominational it would not have the weight that it would otherwise have. Mr Twomey thought the basis laid down by Mr Hamilton rendered it quite undenominational.

Mr Quinn quite agreed wdth the Rev. Mr Hamilton’s motion, and said that While ready to give a donation he was not prepared to give as a member. He also referred to how it worked elsewhere, and to the unount raised on Charity Sunday in the, various churches in Christchurch.

Mr 1). Henry pointed how one denomination might have more representation than others. The Oh airman of the Town Board the Town Clerk and the chief constable might be of one denomination. He was in favor of Mr Talbot’s motion.

MrPilbrow suggested that a petition be sent at once to the Government asking for powers for local bodies to strike a rate for charitable aid.

The dis'cussinn was kept up rather warmly for a long time till at last at the suggestion of Mr Blyth Messrs Talbot and Rayner altered their resolution so as to make ministers of religion ex officio members. This was also discussed at great length, and on being put to the vote there voted for the Rev, Mr Hamilton’s amendment six and for Mr Talbot’s motion five. The Rev, Mr Hamilton’s amendment was therefore declared carried. On the motion of the Rev. Mr Hamilton, seconded by Mr Twomey, it was resolved —“ That the chief function of the Committee shall be the raising of funds for the relief of distress and the obtaining of the £ for £ subsidy from the Government; also the disbursing of the st.in3 on the object above mentioned.'’ On the motion of Mr Twomey, seconded by Mr Alder ton, the Rev. Mr Hamilton was elected Secretary and Treasurer pro tem until the Committee is properly formed.

The meeting then terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman.