OUTDOOR RELIEF.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
Snt,—It seems to me that the " Poor Law Guardian " whose letter on the subject of outdoor relief appeared in the
Spectator of the 14th inst. confuses two classes of relatives of
applicants,—viz., those who are legally liable to contribute towards their support, and those who, while subject to no actual legal obligation in the matter, ought to be expected to
afford assistance according to their means ; e.g., brothers, sisters, daughters, &c. Should persons of the former class
fail in their duty in this respect, they can, of course, be com- pelled to do so or go to prison, if they can be found (much virtue in an " if "), and no doubt the first step towards that end is an application for relief. But with regard to the latter class Guardians have no power. The writer of the letter I have referred to says : "In instructing the relieving officer to give a certain sum of out-relief, the Board at the same time make an order on any relations they consider to be able to assist." This requires qualification; the order can apply only to relatives legally liable ; with regard to others the Board, as I have said, have no power. It was to this latter class that I understood the remark in your article of November 30th (the truth of which is disputed by your correspondent) more particularly to refer.
I do not think that " a firm refusal of outdoor relief " in order to bring to light relatives and friends who are able to help would in very many cases be wise or proper, as it might cause much suffering. But each case should be considered with all its surroundings, as there cast be no doubt whatever that the indiscriminate or clueless giving of relief does lead people to excuse themselves from their moral duty of contributing to the support of those who ought to have a claim upon them.
I may mention, however, that I have recently heard views put forward Which, if acted upon, would change the whole aspect of the matter in question. Certain Guardians now maintain that in considering the circumstances of applicants for relief no assistance received by them from anybody not legally bound to contribute to their support should be taken into account. I think it is hardly necessary to discuss this. I refer to it simply as a sign of the times.—I am, Sir, &c., ANOTHER GUARDIAN.
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