CUSTOMS BENEVOLENT FUND.
TO THE EPITOR OF THE SPECTATOR.
Ste—As I have a case of hardship to state, affeeting the iirterests of a class of men, who, in these %Miss of uncertainty and reductions, have, Heaven knows, eucugh of hardships to contend with, I trust no apology is required for trespas- sing shortly on your columns. I am a poor Customhouse clerk, appointed to my office a few years ago. I have hut a small sal try to depend upon, and no chance of ever obtaining a better. I have always endeavoured to be assiduous and attentive ; but the patronage of a member of the Board is the !adder to promotion, and I possess none. Do what I mass, I am but "an unprofitable servant, who has done no more titan was his tilde to do." On the other hand, all of my class stand in constant dread of theirowns of some one of our cumerous mas- ters; who is anxious to approve his vigilance and activity, by detecting an in- ferior in an act of inattention or neglect ; and wearied, worn, dissppointed, and discouraged as some of its are, it would be wonderful indeed if cur mental and physical powers were not at times listless and inert. I would not have troubled you with this statement, were it not necessary to establish the peculiar hardship of the case to which I am about to allude. Every quarter-day, when I receive ray salary, deductions on two accounts are made front it : one o 21t per rent. on account of the Superannuation Fowl; and the other of one penny (lately twopence) in the pound, on behalf of the Custorns Benevolent Fund. Of the former I do not complain ; hoping, if it please my spperiors to represent me to the Treasury as deserving of some such allowance, I shall live to reap soune be. tie& from it. But the contribution to the Customs Annuity or Benevolent Fund, I consider to be what is termed a dead robbery. It is uturly impossible I can ever receive any return for my compulsory contribution. By the rules, benevolent grants can be made to those ouly who have prupo.sed to insure to a reasonable extent, and whose proposals have been rejected. Nit having one farthing to spare, it is utterly impossible I COO ever insure to a " reasonable" extent, or to any extent at all. Under these circumstances, I silk, is the law Just, which compels me to contribute poundage? The wily proposers of the act pretended it would he for the benefit of the poorer officer ; but it benefits only the rich, who have a surplus income. It would be difficult to prove the " benevolence " of the scheme. The rich insurer, indeed, is bet efited ; as the Poundage wrung from us may be distributed amongst the general urofit, and thus reduce his subscription or augment the sum he has insured. The Annuity Fund is very rich, and the grievance of a compulsory poundage ought to be abolished. Of course we had no share in framing the act of 56 Gs,. III., c. 73: I have no doubt it will be considered a serious offence even to complain of it. I will trespass no further on your valuable space ; and, -trusting that you will consider that I have made out a case of hardship which calls for a remedy, I am, Sir, you very humble servant,
A CESTOHHOUSI CLEEIG
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