CORRESPONDENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6551, 3 August 1899, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

PAUPERISING AGENCIES. TO THE EDITOR. * ' Sir,— Mr Dacombe has drawn attention to tlie above important subject, but has suggested no remedy for the present deplorable state o£-things. One of the chief causes of poverty and pauperism is the action of the people themselves, viz., supporting by their patronage the monopoly shops, where the most sweating is carried on and the lowest wages paid. It is surprising in these enlightened times that Unionists and the nrns of the people, who fpose as Liberals and clamour for good pay themselves, are starving the small shopkeeper out of existence by carrying all their custom to gigantic monopoly firms, who are th. curse of the masses of the people. I could understand a poor man out of work trying to save a penny or two, but I cannot understand men in constant employment boycotting the small storekeeper for the sake of saving threepence or sixpence a week. Another pauperising agency is the system of credit, which is. largely on the increase in the colony. v l'he only parties who do a strictly cash business are the Government, the publicans, the jockey clubs, tota-lisa-tors and bookmakers. If people can find ready money for drink and betting, the law should compel, them to find cash For honest trading. Storekeepers have: to meet their monthly accounts, and cannot do so unless their customers pay up promptly. What is the 1 use of General Booth rescuing one submerged tenth, when another partly submerged tenth is waiting to take its place? Let us get at the cause of poverty and crime ; drink is only one cause, and I venture to say not the chief one. Landsharking, monopoly of the money market, and tha inconsistency of the people themselves are some of 'the causes. Hoping Mr Dacombe will suggest a remedy, — I am, etc., . RADICAL REFORMER.