The Press. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1889.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7264, 25 January 1889, Page 4

The Press. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1889.

Since last writing upon the question of Hospitals and Charitable Institutions, we have received from the Government Printer a return of the cost of administering the Act hi each district during the two years ending March 31st, 18S7, and March 31st, 188 S. The figures show that the total expenditure has risen from £142,301 for the former year to £160,036 in the latter. The following table shows in what manner the various sources of revenue have varied :—

1887. 1888. From Government ... £76,666 ... £70,18^ Contributing bodies ... 44,63 d ... 53.89 Voluntary contributions 10,996 ... 12,604 ■Rftouests ... ••• 81 ... 923 Rents 6.103 ... 1,900 Payments by patients... 6,888 ... 8,049 Other sources ... ... rf.Swo ... t.iJQ

It will be seen from the above figures that while the Government contribution has been slightly diminished, the sums received from the contributing local bodies, the payments by patients, the money received from other sources, and from voluntary contributions have increased. The net result, however, has been an increase of expenditure to the extent of over £17,000. This apparent tendency to increase is one of the most unsatisfactory features of the case, and will result before long, we are convinced, in a feeling of profound dissatisfaction throughout the colony with the Act as it exists. In discussing another aspect of the Charitable Aid question a few weeks ago, we pointed out that there was reason to fear that the Act, as it fs administered, was beginning to create a pauper clasa in the community. Money improperly or even injudiciously spent, we urged, was not merely money thrown away, it had notoriously a demoralising effect, both upon the actual recipients and upon those who in.any way came under the influence of the unwise or improper distribution. "We pointed out that in England prior to 1834 the system then in operation sapped the manliness of the English character, and that it had already begun to do so in onr own colony. We warned the gentlemen who were concerned with the administration of charitable relief that the system was upon its trial j that it was not the general opinion that they had succeeded thus far in confining the relief granted to its legitimate objects; that while we grudged neither the rate nor the subsidy, so long ac we knew that the money was really required, we most decidedly objected to have either the savings of thrift or the hard-earned wage misapplied for the indulgence ef the indolent or to pamper the dissolute. The conclusion we arrived at, after a careful study of the Act, and of the manner in which it was evidently being administered, was that some amendment of the , law was required in order to against some of the most serious dangers which were evidently looming ahead. One of these dangers, we pointed out, was the manner in which the system of out-door relief was taken advantage of by persons who had no real claim upoa .the public, and who were well able to maintain themselves without such assistance. We give several instances of the manner in which public funds were ' wasted through the failure of the authorities to make proper inquiries, selecting our instances, however, from cases outaido this district. The Inspector, in his annual report, also gives a number of illustrations of the most glaring misuse of public funds, tending to show that the idle and the dissolute have, in too many cases, succeeded in obtaining considerable sums in the shape of relief without the least shadow of a jußt claim for such assistance. The Inspector adds that he could give many cases similarly illustrative of the vices of the out-door system of relief had it been necessary to do so in order to prove his case.

Wβ have said there is already sufficient evidence before us to show that the system of out-door relief as granted in this colony is beginning to have a demoralising effect upon the population. But even if the brief experience of this colony was? not sufficient to establish this fact, there is abundant evidence that the system has proved a failure wherever it has been tried elsewhere. Speaking of the experience of England, Sir G. Trevelyan recently said " by far the most demoralising influence of our time and country is poor-law out-door relief- Upon in-door relief there is a natural check. Nobody asks for it as a favor and there is a strong presumption that everybody who accepts it is really in need of it. Upon outdoor relief, on the contrary, thero is no self-acting check, for it is a pension comfortably enjoyed at home in addition to every other advantage and source of income, and everybody is glad to have it." This is admittedly the experience of England. It may be said, perhaps, that the circumstances of England are different to those of a new country like New Zealand. But the same testimony comes from America. The Superintendent of the State of New York* in a recentreportonthe general question says

'«I know of nothing which does so mociitg encourage pauperism and educate paupers for the next generation as thig system [of out-door relief]. There is '} nothing except intemperance which fc more demoralising to the head pf & family or more ruinous to childrfe* than to becomo imbued with the that the public is bound to provide foe them. . • . People, very soon after commencing to receive public aid, their energy aud self-respect; find j| easier to rely upon the industry q£ others to furnish them their dallj bread than to exert themselves to gaj» a livelihood." s With such evidence before us, we ask, is it expedient to go on on existing lines in this colony, or should some ' determined effort be made to put "a* stop to the pauperisation of the peoplj before it is yet too late 1 We admit that the problem to be solved is aim. rounded by many difficulties, and that it is much easier to point out defects than it is to suggest a practicable cure. While condemning the system; of outdoor relief as at preeeat carried on, it does not follow thai ,it must be totally abolished. There may be, and probably are, certain classes to whom it can with advantage be applied. The point to be settled is, where is the distinction to be drawn. And when that problem has beej* solved the colony will have further td determine upon a method of dealing with those to whom out-door relief cannot with advantage be granted, In future articles we propose to discuss those points at some length. ;