THE PROBLEM OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
[To TEE EDITOR ON THE "SPECTATOR."' SIR,—While it is true, as your correspondent "Poor Law Official" (Spectator, August 7th) points out, that one of the effects of giving Old-Age Pensions is to foster the living of the aged and infirm in their own homes or with their relatives, frequently under conditions that are unsatisfactory and even in some cases deplorable, it should be stated that under the old system many Boards of Guardians were accustomed to give out-relief in cases open to the same objection rather than " force " the old folks into the infirmary. The fact is, these oases present no little difficulty to the authorities concerned, especially in the rural districts. The repugnance of the old labourer to the workhouse, and his longing to spend the evening of his life in the hamlet asso- ciated maybe with all the events of his working years, have an almost irresistible appeal. It is to be hoped that, with the increase in the number of district nurses, the return of opportunities for district visiting, and, when happier times ensue, the provision of more rural cottages of the almshouse type, the Darbya and Joans will be able to stay amongst us without reproach.
This sentiment was fortified in my case by a call recently made on a remarkable old Fenland couple, Mr. and Mrs. Perkins, of Whaplode Drove, South Lincolnshire. Thti husband is in his hundred and fourth year, the wife in her ninety-third year; they have been married seventy-two years. A relative living near looks in occasionally and assists at housework; apart from that, they take care of themselves in their wayside cottage, clean and comfortable. Amidst the talk at the breakfast table of old times and old masters, of wet harvests and the much-prized letter from the King, there emerged the strong note of satisfaction that they had been kept from being chargeable to " the parish " until Old-Age Pensions relieved them of anxiety. We are thankful for the workhouse infirmary in extreme cases. Some may regard its distempered walls, polished floors, and ready service as the last word in material comfort for such as these. But it lacks one thing as the end approaches. Was it not of the rural poor that Gray was thinking when he wrote- " On some fond breast the parting soul relies, Some pious drops the closing eye requires" P Only the associations of home furnish fit setting for the closing scene at the limit of the sequestered vale.--I am, Sir, Spalding.
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