(TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:1 SIR, — We owe you a
debt of gratitude for publishing the article entitled "‘ Day Treats' for Children" in the Spectator of July 6th, but I should like to call attention to a statement there made which may give rise to misapprehension. The writer, in mentioning the fact that "thirty-two thousand children were sent away last year under the auspices of the Country Holiday Fund," goes on to remark, "Double that number could easily be sent were the subscriptions pro- portionately increased." Now, while doubtless the working of the Fund would be strengthened by the increase of sub- scriptions, the greatest difficulty to contend with is that of finding a sufficient number of country homes for the children. To give our own case I have at present on my list accommo- dation for about five hundred and twenty children as against eight hundred and forty sent away last year, and I cannot find new homes to fill the place of those which for one cause or another have been withdrawn. This difficulty is not sufficiently appreciated by our supporters. In small country villages far away from the large towns there is lack of accommodation owing to cessation of building, and in villages near the towns and affected by the increase of trade there is already a crowded population. If we had double our present grant of money we could not get over the difficulty of finding places for the children. More help is needed in the way of finding houses to which children might be sent and of taking interest in them during their holiday. This is a case in which money isn't everything. I do not write to discourage further subscriptions, but rather to quicken the interest of those who are in sympathy with our work, and who may have opportunities of helping us in the way suggested.—I am, Sir, 8te., (REV.) CLAUDE TONEY
(Hon. Sec. Walworth Committee, C.C.H.F.)
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