OUTDOOR RELIEF.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.")
Sra,—I venture to draw attention to a point in regard to outdoor relief which I think should be emphasised in support of the statement in your article in the Spectator of Novem- ber 30th on " Old-Age Pensions " : "A firm refusal of outdoor relief brings to light relations and friends who are able to help."
I mean the fact that the only relatives of an adult applicant who are legally liable to contribute to his support are parents and adult sons (and in some cases grandparents, at the discretion of the Guardians). Therefore, however fully the Guardians are informed of the circumstances of the various relatives, as stated by your correspondent Mrs. Lowndes, they cannot enforce payments from any others. Those who have had much experience in the relief of the poor in town and country know that it is not uncommon to find the brother or sister of people in well-to-do circumstances in dire poverty and receiving outdoor relief, the Guardians being unable to obtain any contribution from the relatives.—I am, Sir, &c.,
TOWN AND COUNTRY.
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