TEMUKA BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1377, 11 August 1885, Page 2

TEMUKA BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Would you allow me a small space in your valuable paper to say I was quite surprised, when reading the Road Board meeting’s report, to see that the Rev. Hamilton waited on the Rond Board asking them to find the work ing men employment, and stating the Benevolent Society would pay the same. Now, it seems a monstrous proposal for a minister of religion to make—after collecting the money to give to the poor to turn round and ask the same to work for it. This is not charily, But this is not all. The men needing employment must go and get an order and take the same to the Overseer, then work away for some time to his satisfaction, and then he (the Overseer) gives an order to say so, which must be given to the Key. Mr Hamilton, who will pay the men in tea, and sugar, etc. The right and proper way is : If any of our fellow-men are in want they should have relief up to five or ten shillings in goodi until their case is inquired into. If the Road Board find work for the men they should pay wages in cash to them, that the men may take it home to their wives, who are quite capable of laying it out to the best advantage. As for the reports which come from a distance running the working men down as a lot of lazy men wanting pampering, etc,, —1 think there are a few of that sort. The same might be said of hotelkeepers and good templars ; but all these are exceptions to the rule. There are men in I'emukft who are honest and wish to work for their living, as they are settlers in the district, which is belter than swagging the country. If the Benevolent Society wish their names, they can easily be gvien. It is a great pity the Society was ever established, as it has stopped the Government finding work for the men.—l am. etc., Henrt Goodky. Temuka, Aug. 10, 1885.

[At the last meeting of the Temuka Road Board the Rev. Mr Hamilton (on behalf otthe Benevolent Society) applied for work for men who, in consequence of tiie present dearth of employment, were unable to get any to do, and stated that flie Benevolent Society would pay them, Mr Goodey thinks this a monstrous proposal, but in this opinion we ara lure he grands alone. We are sura that men able to work would far rather earn anything that they receive, than, as Mr Goodey suggests, accept it as charity. If Mr Goodey would prefer the latter, he must have changed his opinion during the last few weeks—if he has not, he was not sincere in his utterances at the public meeting which led to the formation of the Benevolent Society, With regard to those persons who are unable to work, it may be taken for granted that the Benevolent Society does all it can for them. In that the Society only does its duty. To controvert Mr Goodey’s statement that there are members in every class of society a discredit to the society to which they belong, would, in the face of his letter, bo idle. It is quite true.— The JSditoh.]