National Life in Australia 235 



him medical attendance and medicine when sick- 

 ness comes into his house, a weekly allowance, 

 should he himself be prevented from attending 

 to his business by illness, and a provision for his 

 fitting burial after death. This sick and funeral 

 fund represents the business side of the Australian 

 Natives' Association, and is really responsible for 

 the continuance of its growth, and the extension 

 of its influence. 



There comes a time in the history of many such 

 associations when enthusiasm dwindles, and sen- 

 timental or political discussions no longer draw 

 crowds of eager debaters. Then the rent of halls, 

 and the very cost of postage and stationery 

 becomes too heavy a tax on the remainder, if 

 remainder there be. All over the world, how 

 many societies were founded for national or edu- 

 cational purposes, which enjoyed for a time more 

 or less influence on public affairs, and then passed 

 away ! 



But the Australian Natives' Association, 

 though interest in public affairs may flag, can 

 never die. Its halls are hired, its postage paid 

 by the business department. In every locality 

 where a branch is established, it begins to ac- 

 cumulate wealth. Twelve or fifteen pence per 

 week, from perhaps twenty members, soon mounts 

 up, and those twenty members do not fail to keep 

 up their payments merely because they have be- 

 come tired of affirming that "this branch resents 

 the interference of France in the New Hebrides." 



