[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR. "] Sin, — No one, I imagine,
would object to the bestowal of such benefits as Mr. Lloyd George enumerated in his speech of Saturday last upon those requiring and desiring assistance ; but one widespread cause of objection to the insurance scheme is that it forces those who are able and willing to take provi- dent measures to receive the same bounties and to become, in spite of themselves, recipients of charitable aid.
The wave of enthusiasm that stirred all parties in the House when the insurance proposals were first laid before it was raised by the suggested means for aiding those who, though willing, were not able, without assistance, to provide for the future, and for compelling to some personal effort the careless and thriftless who without compulsion would do nothing for themselves. It certainly was not understood at that early date that there was any intention of including self-respecting and provident persons in the same category. It is as if a peremptory nurse, in addition to feeding those of her charge who are incapable of feeding themselves, should not only enforce the same treatment upon those who are too indolent or too boisterous to dispose of their food properly, but should also compel the capable and well-behaved children to submit to the ministrations of the spoon. Mr. Lloyd George speaks of the large number of failures in provident societies, and, in spite of val ying figures, the statement makes pitiful reading. But surely the collapse of these miserable catch-pennies id no argument for usurping the management of bodies that have proved themselves solid and dependable.--I am, Sir, ems A. W. D.
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