LOAFERS' PARADISE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6492, 11 April 1908, Page 2

LOAFERS' PARADISE

Some very interesting information has been collected by th© Wandsworth Guardians, who have Just completed a census of the inmates of ineir workhouse. The census was undertaken to ascertain whether old-age pensions would have any effect on the workhouse population. The census committee was struck with, the number of men who seemed to lose all energy for work when their wives died, and cam© into th© worffhouse. It also comments on the number who came to settle down in the house when their wives refused to keep them any,longer, or, as some'expressed it, when “the wife turned me out." In many cases, drink and laziness were found to be the cause of the wives' action. Investigation proved that very few leave the workhouse, even though they, have old-age pensions or outdoor relief. Some have been in the workhouse for periods of from 15 to 20 years. Alor§. than 800 inmates were interviewed* and the commute© says that in & Targe number

of cases there did not seem to be any tangible reason why they were in tho workhouse at all. Many admitted that they had done no work for years; in tact, they could not give the date or place whore they had last worked. And the conditions of the house appear to be oanduoivo “to their <J.sinclination to shift for themscTVes/' says tho committee.