DESTITUTION.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2808, 26 July 1866, Page 4

DESTITUTION.

To the Editor of the Daily Southihn Cross. Sib, — I wish to enlist your sympathies for the destitute poor of this city, aud shall feel grateful by your insertion of this letter in your next number. I feel that I am in a position to speak confidently and truthfully of the sufferings of the poor in this city, and I hesitate not to assure you that each day adds to the fearful calamities that oppress them. It is most cruel at this crisis to attempt classification, or to exempt ourselves from duty on the plea of undeserving poor. The fact before us is, that there it a large class of our fellow-creatures who are enduring a state of daily privation that ought to shame a Christian community. I allow that Government hat dove much to assist these sufferers ; but the invariable association of imposition and idleness with deserving poor has driven the authorities to a more strict and modified measure of relief than that hitherto conceded ; and a soup kitchen, superseding in a great measure the issue of rations, has] been established as a remedial measure for the impositions that have in too many cases been practised. I had hoped better results from this system than what I am now constrained to indulge, but patient consideration of its working convinces me that such a system can only be adopted as supplementary relicf — cannot meet the requirement of the case, and consequently fails in its humane object. Private charity has been largely and cheerfully exercised by a class by no meaus representing the wealth of this community ; but this source is now exhausted, and 1 I believe we have now arrived at that point where a system recognising human rights in all Christian and civilized communities must be adopted as tht just discharge of Christian responsibility. But you will desire to know what remedial measures 1 have to offer for your advocacy. I should hardly presume to obtrude my opinion as the foundation for action to those of our citizens whose experience may claim for th«m * clearer insight to the adjustment of great political and social questions. Still, as a minister of the Gospel, it is imperative that I should speak plainly on this subject, although I may subject mysolf to the charge of presumption. Sooner or 'later a poor-law must be established. Virtually, one has been in operation for years, but one that has proved itself inadequate, as well as injurious, in its mode and action. A law combining the elements of equal distribution of its burthen and benefits with the labour test for the able-bodied applicant, would unquestionably comparatively discharge our debt of Christian obligation to our suffering fellow- creatures ; and pending its promulgation, a more liberal subscription to the Ladies' Benevolent Association Fund, would tend to ward off the excessive pressure of present want and misery. If, sir, you will look at the income of that society, and compare the great good it effects with the small pittance at its disposal, you will not doubt the justice of calling upon the inhabitants of this city to send in their offerings into this tieasury of the Lord. It is an easy occupation for gentlemen who are not called upon professionally, or who do not accept the universal duty of seeking out sorrow, to speak boldly of the absence of that destitution I proclaim. Such conduct has a double weight of guilt to answer, inasmuch as it not only operates to harden the individual heart, but prevents others, who would work, exemplifying Christian charity. — I am, sir, &c, Edwabd Nugent Bkee. Hobson-street, July 25, 1866.