A CHARITY BUREAU.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 903, 25 February 1908, Page 4

A CHARITY BUREAU.

A National Charity Bureau, has recently been established in Prussia, ' under the direct control of the Minister of State. The duties of the new office are:—(l) To follow the development of charity work and keep the Government informed of this development; (2) to advise the State of conditions which justify change in-existing laws or the passing of new laws, or which suggest change in Government method; (3) to draw up opinions and make proposals which' will help in framing laws for the benefit of the people; (4) to take general control of relief stations in case of great calamities. It will also be the duty of the department (1) to establish relations between different charity organisations, suggest improvements in the methods of these organisations, and economise the forces of various bodies; (2) to follow the progress of charitable work and make an index and collection of all literature relating to the subject; (3) to give information and advice in reference to philanthropic endeavour when requested to go so: (4) to make reports to the State at short intervals in reference to the development and progress of the work in the nation at large (5) to draw up opinions and make proposals for the improvement or better organisation of the charity propaganda in part or as a whole-; (6) to take charge of the development of the work in any section; (.7) to assist in putting in operation any suggestions nr plans which may be made or worked out for the improvement of social conditions. The bureau is a large one, and the officers are chosen with a care justified by its importance. The main body consists of a General Assembly, 'which is composed of members of the liberal professions, public bodies and individuals and societies engaged in charitable work. The second division is known as the Advisory Committee, and is composed of fortyeight members. Of these,, thirty are elected by the directors and eighteen are chosen by the State.. Finally the directors form a group of twenty-four persons. The workings of this new departure in governmental oversight and administration is, it is said, being watched with great interest by other countries. Doubtless our Government will carefully note the progress made by the bureau.