The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Morning. Tuesday, July 9, 1889. FROM BAD TO WORSE.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 322, 9 July 1889, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Morning.

Tuesday, July 9, 1889. FROM BAD TO WORSE.

Be just and fear not; Let all the ends thou aim’st at be thy country's, Thy God’s, and truth's.

Ths expression of opinion throughout the colony has been most emphatic in its antagonism to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, and a careful consideration of the measure makes us wonder how it came to be introduced in such a form. The controlling bodies are the first objection. A County Council or Borough Council is the only local authority which can give outdoor relief, their power being “ to give relief out of the rates to sick, aged, infirm, or poor persons, at their own homes, or they may aid dispensary, or charitable, or benevolent institutions not under this Act.” That might be all very well so far, but the Councils get no help for any money they may so spend, a provision which means thp absolute stoppage of outdoor relief. Something, then, must be done with the large class now provided for out of local funds subsidised from the colonial exchequer. This appears to be explained by the provision for State refuges, into which shall go “ all adult persons not suffering from contagious diseases, who are drunkards, idlers, or tramps, who, or whose families, are or are likely to become a burden on the local authorities for an indefinite time." The whole thing is an astonishing attempt at revolution, while the more practical question of reform is disregarded. The Government hope, in one stroke, to put an end to outdoor relief, but neglect to consider the fearful consequences which would follow a step so rashly taken. Some unthinking people may receive the new proposals with enthusiasm, but men are now learning to regard the good of the State as of more importance than the immediate and selfish interests of particular localities. The Borough's would be tempted to foist their ordinary poor on the State, and many men who were only entitled to a small amount of temporary relief would soon be manufactured into “ idlers,” “ drunkards,” and “ tramps.” Even in Gisborne, where there has been the most careful management, grave cases of imposition have occurred, especially under the system that existed a few months back. Once a man goes to a poor-house, unless it may be through some great misfortune, there is little hope of his regaining sufficient manliness to Bet himself to work hard for a living. Then, on the other hand, it must not be lost sight of that many such characters leave wives and children behind them, and these cannot be allowed to starve. In regard, too, to the provision made for destitute children, if it became law, there would soon be such a number discovered under that heading as would appal the most shortsighted. The leading provisions of the Bill are its worst features, but we hope that it may be so amended as to more ably grapple with the grave difficulty than can be found possible with the means at present available. The provision made for local government of the institutions is also unsatisfactory, and would not lead to the best results.

The Borough Council meets to-night, and it will be the duty of the Council to give some expression of opinion on the Bill. What that expression of opinion may be we are, of course, not in a position to say, but in the general interest we believe the Council has no other wise course open than to make a resolution in strong opposition of the Bill in its present shape. We hope that no petty local spirit, and the prospect of getting present relief from a most unpleasant duty, will induce Councillors to disregard the future. Reform is badly needed, but that is the greater reason why we should oppose a step which can only take us from bad to worse.