HALF-A-MILLION OF PAUPERS.
[To THE EDITOR. Or THE "SPEOTATOE:1 th3A;,--I have some difficulty in understanding your cone- opondent `f S. W. M.'s " criticism in your last issue of • my letter, or what the " dogmatic statement " is to which he takes exception. Pauperism is defined as "the state of indigent persons requiring support from the community." All those,
therefore, who accept an old-age pension under Mr. Asquith's scheme will be paupers, just as much as those who receive relief from the Poor Law and are subject to any demoralising or discreditable incidents which may attach to that oonditio;. Self-respecting persons feel keenly that grave discredit does attach to pauperism in the absence of the stress of absolute necessity, and will make the most strenuous and self-denying efforts to avoid it. Mr. Asquith's paupers will become paupers for the most part from no such stress of necessity, and by accepting a pendlon will be at once lowered in the scale of self-respect and morality. Thus the path will be entered upon which will lead in the direction of a condition of things similar to the terrible demoralisation and misery which existed before 1834, and has been slowly mended by the new Poor Law, the leading principles of which are now to be die- credited.—I am, Sir, &c., JOHN MARTINEAU. Park Corner, Heckfield, Hants.
[In other words, the Government say :—" If you have made yourself a pauper before January 1st, 1909, we intuit hold, 3'91, unworthy of the help and notice of the State. If, however, you did not make yourself a pauper before the date named, we will immediately proceed to make you one as an appropriate reward."—En. Spectator.]
Previous page
