CHARITABLE AID.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 76, 23 December 1907, Page 3

CHARITABLE AID.

SOME PRESS OPINIONS/, : URGENT NEED FOR REFORM. N (BY . TELEGEAini—SPXCIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Ghristc/iurch, Docombcr 21. Referring to tho report by tlio Secretary to the Bonovolent Trustees, Wellington, to tho effect that in the period of eight months from April 1 to November 30 the issuo of rations had increased by 56 per cent, over tho corresponding period of last.year, and, speaking generally, the .tendency of outdoor relief was in tho direction of increasing, the .''Pross" remaiks: "Obviously thoro is something wrong about such a state of things as this at a time, when tho Dominion-is unusually prosperous, when there is a scarcity of labour everywhere, and every worker arriving from oversea finds employment at once. The truth is that our system .of outdoor relief, without any sort of labour test, in the caso of able-bodied persons applying for assistance is breeding up a race of inveterate paupers in this country, and if it is not reformed will land us in very serious difficulties, exactly as did the old poor-law in England, which it closely resembles. Some very forcible and outspoken remarks, which wore made by the Chairman of the North Canterbury Charitable Aid Board at the annual mooting, deserve careful consideration. He declared that after many years' practical experience ho was convinced there was always a great risk, if not certainty, of abuse, however careful the administrators of outdoor relief may bo. He pointed out that while on tho one hand thero were deserving objects of charity, who would not allow their wants to bo known even to their own friends, thero -were numerous othors with a disinclination to work; whoso' ambition it was to get something for nothing but tho asking, and who, if they were in want, wero in want owinp; to causes within their own control. Nothing has been more clearly proved than tho fact that the plan of giving outdoor relief to sturdy, able-bodied applicants is a sure way to destroy 'any chance of a return to solf-roliance on tho part of the individual so relieved, and gradually to pauperise the community. It is high time that tho wholo system of charitablo aid in this Dominion was gono into by the Legislature with tho object of reforming it root and branch."

(BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT .) Auckland, December 21. Commenting editorially upon the objections of Mr. Hogg, M.P., to the proposal of Dr. Valintino to tabulate particulars of persons receiving public relief, the "Herald" says: — "Considering that the information would bo confidential, and that the professional pauperism which is fostered by our lax methods is a growing scandal in the Dominion, there does not seem to be any practical reason for this objection. There can bo only ono opinion as to tho duty of the public ill tho treatment of cases where destitution has fallen upon those who have been ordinarily industrious citizens. These should bo unhesitatingly assisted in a generous manner, as the public finances will allow, and without any. unnecessary unpleasantness to the unfortunates involved. But tho difficulty is that a class is growing up which looks upon almstaking as a much more pleasant way of obtaining a living than honest industry. Constant practice enables the professional paupers of this most objectionable class to reduce their tricks and methods to a fine art, and they can only bo detected by rigid precautions. In the taking of theso precautions against fraud and imposition, genuine oases novo-to bo.investigated and tabulated, which is a great pity, but quito unavoidable, unless public charity is to bo allowed to escape entirely beyond official control."