The action of insubordinate and spendthrift Boards of Guardians is
a glaring scandal. The Guardians have not any legal power, of course, to levy rates, but in practice they do levy them by incurring expenditure that can be met after the event only out of the pockets of the rate- payers. There is no reason whatever why Guardians should be elected. In most other cases Public Assistance is administered by specially appointed bodies. We hope • that Parliament will not delay in looking into this matter. Ultimately the whole of the present system of Poor . Relief must be brought to an end, but in the meantime something could be done to protect the ratepayer by securing that Guardians should not be put into office by prospective beneficiaries.. It is unfair, we admit, that a poor district of what is really, though not technically, • London should not be helped by the richer districts. But if that be done the corollary must be accepted ; all who help to pay the bill must have some voice in • -calling the tune. • *
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