The Toll of the “Dole”

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 267, 6 August 1932, Page 16

The Toll of the “Dole”

“We are going to see an increase of crime among young fellows as the result of their being cut off from transitional benefit Although in theory that withdrawal of benefit may be justified, it means in effect that thousands of youths who, because they received the dole, could afford to spend something on amusements —the' cinema, smoking, and even an occasional shilling on a horse— suddenly find they have nothing to spend. “As a result many who were by no means criminal, are determined to get some pocket money somehow. That is an important factor in what we think is coining—an increase ,in young criminals who were not criminal. They will, as'they say, ‘pinch’ things, but I think the danger is that a fellow who . has once passed that point may go, farther. ,

“The fact of a fellow receiving a dole and having nothing to do, seems to take away his self-respect. He is not wanted. He feels that he’has no place in the community, and idleness saps his morale. My • impression is that a man who does not work always suffers . demoralisation.” —Mr. Frank ■Briant,. M.P., .who ’has devoted the greater part of his life to the welfare of London lads.