The West Ham Board of Guardians gave in last week
to the Minister of Health and accepted his conditions for a future loan with which (less the value of the vouchers supplied through the late emergency) to carry on their statutory work. These conditions entail a • general reduction of 6d. and a reduction to 55s. in the maximum weekly relief to an applicant, and enquiry into long- standing cases and into the incomes of households to be followed by reductions in the relief given to applicants whose families have other substantial sources of income. Mischief-makers have organized rowdy meetings, but we expect to see the Board greatly improve their admini- stration and plead force majeure to objectors. It has been widely said that the Board yielded from fear lest the Commissioners by whom Mr. Neville Chamberlain threatened to replace the Guardians would discover illegalities in the lax distribution of relief that has been rife.' Such charges were likely to be made whether true or not, but if there is any. truth in them their authors- should not stop at innuendo but should substantiate them ; then Mr. Chamberlain should follow the courageous example of Mr. John Burns when he was President of 'the Local Government Board and prosecute Guardians who abused their office.
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