The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, JULY 17, 1886. THE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2349, 17 July 1886, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, JULY 17, 1886. THE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

It is a sign of the times that our local Benevolent Society should have just now on its hooks an unusual number of cases which require assistance. Since llifi North Wairarapa Benevolent Society was first established there have been seasons when it has almost had to suspend operation through the dearth of poverty in the district; hut now in mid-winter durin" a period of depression appeals flow fast and thick to its office, and its credit balance is likely to be speedily absorbed. We are pleased to notice that the tone of its meeting on Wednesday last was a firm one, and that the expediency of insisting upon a labor test before granting relief to able bodied persons was strongly affirmed, The danger of all such institutions, unless they are conducted on ri«id principles of this kind is to foster pauperism. It is satisfactory to know that our local Society is alive to this risk, and that it is endeavoring to confine its grants to cases which imperatively call for aid. The acquisition of Mr Meredith and Mr Gapper as reprerentatives of the County and Borough | is likely to be an advantage, because these members naturally feel that they are responsible to ratepayers for the economical administration of that portion of thp County and Municipal revenues that is being expended by the Society, and this consideration must necessarily prevent them from allowing their judgment to be swayed by their sympathies. To make both ends meet it will be necessary for the Committee to be a little hard in'dealing with applications, When we read that certain poor women were relieved who had relatives who ought to have provided for them, we cannot help thinking that the right way to deal with culjirits who let their wives and families starve while they drink and

loaf about ilio town, would \m to tako

legal proceedings against thwii and compel them .to discharge their duties as husbands, and parents. This is difficulty which sooner or later th Society-till have to. face because the publio will riot in the long run be willing to take upon themselves the maintenance of the families of ablebodied men. If the Society can call in thi\aid of tho law to prpvent distress where- it is prevontible, it will do a good work for the community, and lighten its own burdens as a relieving body.