The seriousness of the situation disclosed in the Report can
hardly be exaggerated. If we take the right path, we may yet save ourselves from the consequences of the injurious policy which we have been pursuing during recent years. If, on the other hand, we take the wrong path, we must either become involved in a national catastrophe, or else enter upon a period of moral and economic decline such as that which overtook the Roman Empire when it established the principle that it is the business of a State to support its citizens, and that the Govern- ment should undertake the office of a universal Providence. The Report is of enormous length ; but in spite of the obvious objections to long State documents, we cannot condemn it on this ground. It will be found to be a mine of information on all points connected with the problem of State assistance. It should be noted that the majority Report recommends that in future poor relief should be called "public assistance," and outdoor relief "home assistance." With the now words in themselves we have no quarrel. Indeed, they may be said to represent the better ideal. It is, however, to be hoped that the change will not be taken to mean a relaxa- tion and softening of the attitude of the State. It is impera- tive in the true interests of the poor that "public assistance" shall not come to be regarded as a right, and that men and women shall not be encouraged to look on help from the State as something which involves no loss of self-respect. The horror of poor relief which happily still exists is most salutary.
Previous page
