18 NOVEMBER 1932, Page 3

The significance of the Means Test Bill which was the

last Act of the Session should not be missed. The pro- vision that the assessment of need should proceed on the same principles for all applicants for relief, whether able- bodied or not, and whether belonging to insured trades or not, is clearly the first step towards a new system of relieving destitution. The effect on the rates will have to be most carefully watched, for if the Bill leads to an enormous increase in rate-borne' relief the whole Poor Law system will have to be amended."