CONCERNING "THE UNEMPLOYED" THROUGH "DISABLEMENT."
[To THE EDITOR WOE& "SPECTATOR.") SIR,—Tbe high cost of living makes life very hard for the number of people dependent upon pensions of £211 a year, granted to them, by votes, as ineneables, especially those who have no relatives, and struggle to remain in their little home, or apartment; and who, owing to war conditions, can no longer find a market for such penwork, and other homework, by which they used to add a little to their 85. a week. They are worse off than the old-age pensioners on 7s. 6d. a week, becaOse the latter are granted free doctor and medicine by the State— called Parish Relief; also may accept gifts of charity. The hospital pensioners are of a class not helped by Poor Law relief, and must not accept such; and their condition prevents them from being able to join & medical club; thus they have to meet their own doctor's fees. Also many old-age pensioners are well and strong enough to do farmworlc, Stc., in villages, and thus add to their 7s, 6d., which is expected to be increased to 10s. we hear. Surely some fund should be started to add to the 8s. a week of these disabled people, whose cases were proved to be deserving before they gained the hundreds of votes which won them their pension. Labourers' wages are now 86s. Gd., and expected to be £2 2s. a week, and it is believed that prices will rise in consequence. Their extra wages will more than cover the extra cost; but how can an " incurable " meet the cost unless the 8s. is added to subStantiall,y. At present prices even firing in winter will cost about half the 8s.!—Hoping that through your helpful paper these facts will lead some one to "take up" the matter and "win help" for these small pensioners, this
letter is written by ONE OF THEM.
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