THE HARDSHIPS OF THE POOR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXI, Issue 7933, 15 December 1909, Page 4

THE HARDSHIPS OF THE POOR.

■ To the Editor. I Sir,—The poor are heavily handicapped by causes which, by the force of circumstances,, they cannot control. Sometimes they suffer, ill-health ; perhaps through the carelessness of others they are injured, or fall victims to the various ailments which human- flesh is heir to. While in., this state they sometimes become victims of .usurers, who take adv.antage. ofo,a-V person 1 s troubles to extoft ruinous interest for any loan. The principle adopted by some of these modern Shylocks is to make an advance for short periods— say, three months—for which they maj' charge at the rate of 30 per cent for twelve months; and if in three months the principal, with interest, is not paid, they will' renew, adding the accrued interest to the principal, and interest charged on the whole. When the lender thinks he has? chance he will use extreme measures to recover the loan with. the. -price of his extortion. These persons have no principle, or honest feelings, and they will, like Shylock in the "Merchant of Venice," have their bond or the pound of flesh, although one may but recently have , arisen; ;from a ■bed of sickness. When a man has fallen among thieves, who have stripped and robbed him and left him wounded, how few extend a helping hand to the unfortunate. Even the priest and Levite of old time passed by on the other side. One hears occasionally of certain so-called charitable' deeds', done by ■ certain individuals, but ,no doubt, in some cases, their clients will have to pay for it. These so-called philanthropic deeds ■sprye the purpose of an advertisement 'fora good character* to be seen and .jead of ; alL[nien. * Verilya .they < have their reward. I have known others ,who,.in a simple act of kindness, have proved themselves good Samaritans, ■seeking for no reward, but, to help the felpless. Others, again, who should know; a man or woman who have been ..afflicted, and. to whom suitable emj.ployment would be welcome,, look ■askance at those in need, and on various pretexts neglect to inform an enquirer seeking employment of such tinles when they require work done. Employers making promises of employment to those in need of it, and failing to keep their promises, give one an' impression that their word is of small value. It is like the parable of the two sons, one of whom said : "I go, sir," and went not. The other, who was hot so free in promises, said : "I go not," but' afterwards repented and went. It seems that the one who repented and went was the least guilty of the two. There is a maxim, "The poor have few friends." , How gushingly people express their regards for ! acquaintances who they know do not need assistance, but when the froth of sentiment is blown away how little substance is left. There is another matter that is manifestly unjust. A person rents a. house, the grounds of which are in a wild, neglected state. The tenant cultivates the land and makes things tidy, but gets behind a pound or two in/ his rent. With the more attractive, surroundings — the fruits of the tenant's labour—the owner finds a fresh tenant. The man loses the fruits of his.labour. Surely he is justified in getting.oompensation. ■ , '.., „*' .;:. justice.