POVERTY AND CRIMINALITY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 300, 12 May 1913, Page 7

POVERTY AND CRIMINALITY

OUR CHARITABLE AID SYSTEM. "1 assert positively that we are, by our charitable aid system deliberately offering an inducement to extravagance and are creating poverty and also criminality," remarked (Jr. 'Maxwell at the meeting of the Kgmont County Council on. Friday. This emphatic assertion arose during a dissertation by Cr. Maxwell after the clerk, had read a notification from the Secretary of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board to the effect that the Council's contribution for the ensuing year leased on a valuation of £1,305,838 at is in £IOO would be £(iß2 18s per annum, or £SO 18s 2d per month. The previous .year, on a basis of lOd in the £IOO the contribution had been £50!) 2s per annum, or £4!) 7s per month. Cr. Maxwell, who is also a member of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, regretful the rise, especially in view of the i state of the Kgmont County Council's finances, but they'could not help themselves. There was no better management on any Board than on the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, which did its best to keep expenses down, and certainly the increased contribution was due to no laxity on their part. Unfortunately, however, through the wave of misdirected humanitarian legislation which pervaded the country, the expenses of relief continued to increase. It was, he said, a grovious thing that whilst not withholding their natural sympathy, they were creating poverty through the dispensing of charitable aid, and a tendency to depend on the general and local government instead of on their own efforts. The tendency was growing among a certain class to take all they could and give nothing. He instanced the case of the Hospital. Ratepayers who used, this had to pay doubly. They had to pay their ordinary contribution as ratepayers, and if they used the hospital they also paid. Many* others paid nothing, and made no attempt to pay. One would, he said, be astonished n't the class who, until forced, endeavoured to evade payment. The Hospital Board was trying to combat this tendency, but it was growing, and seemingly despite .all they could do, would keep on growing. The tendency of the present day legislation was to throw the onus more 'and; more on the local government, who must give relief however vicious the ease may be. Cr. Burgess thought that charitable aid should be refused to all who were able to earn sufficient to keep themselves. An industrial farm would lie a good idea. ■ring the subsequent discussion, the work of the Secretary of the Board in keeping down charitable hid was eulog-i-icl. and (lie chairman expressed an opinion (hat there should be an inspector appointed to immire bin all :>piiiicji Lions for charitable aid. Members of the Board should, he thought, have nothing to do with this, as they were apt to let their sympathies run away with them, On ths motion of Crs. Willcox and ('"mnbell. it was resolved that the Council view with regret the increased cost of hospital and charitable aid in the Eoffilaloa,