3 FEBRUARY 1872, Page 3

A Parliament of Poor-law Guardians from Berkshire, Wilt- shire, and

Middlesex was held at Reading on Saturday, to con- sider the subject of out-door relief. A series of suggestions offered by the Poor-law Board were considered, the genera tone of the meeting being opposed to out-door relief, except as a temporary measure ; but the strongest feeling was expressed as to the new system of granting medical comforts on the mere order of the doctor, who is thus turned into an assistant reliev- ing officer without control. There can be no doubt that this system leads to great abuse. Doctors always like popularity and often pity the poor, and as sherry and mutton are good for all ill-fed people, they order them without thinking of the rate- payers.