DEATHS FROM STARVATION.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 30 November 1901, Page 4

DEATHS FROM STARVATION.

(To the Editor.)

Sib,—Your readers of Wednesday's loader will sympathise, with the sorrow and rtgretyw isprw re thedoa is from st' rvation in i eh a wealthy city as London. Were the whoio truth kaown it is probable that smch cases would bo doubled or tripled, for seldom are all the destitution and sufforing brought to light. To whit are such distressing cases duo ? In | ouo sense starvation is more a result than a cause. What, then, is the chief factor In producing s arvation ? and at whoso door does ihu blame lie? First, the wealthy muss be hold to some extent responsible. Christian philanthropists of all dinominations are doing much in the slums of all the largo towns of tho M rther Country to elevate the tastes aid habits of the people but almost a'l of them complain of insufficienfe backing from the rich. Christianity is stern with those who have wealth but content themselves with platitudes of compassion, while they keep their pookets buttoned. With these self indulgent thoughtless people lies part of the blame of these deaths from starvation. Secondly, in all likelihood tho victims themselves were partly to blame, owing to want of thrift, and improper spendin of their means. People fchajj badly housed and scarcely a sniff of strong fresh ftiJl into habits of tipli.

raid go in

ihat' m the

goes victims ie for their ivernment is inor these deaths, or localise it grants licenses T to sell alcoholic liquors, the publicans are indirectly to m because they do their best to push trade, and a brisk trade with them means receiving the money which uhould go in provisions and raiment for the support of their poor customers. And, lastly, those who possess and use the franchise are indirectly responsible for many of the deaths, for they elect those who make and perpetuate licenses. In the British Empire the people are th& fountain of legislation, consequently if the legislation tends to the promotion of habits which lead to starvation and death the voters must be held so far responsible for the evils that result. I am, etc.,— J. M,