Excerpt from The Aged Poor in England and Wales

IN the following notes on the condition of the Aged Poor in England and Wales, I have tried to bring together and arrange for ready reference and comparison all the oficial statistics which bear on the question. With these statistics, and deductions drawn from their comparison, are collated reports from local authorities in all parts of the country.

The great importance of these comparisons arises from the fact that, as regards the treatment of the old, the Poor Law and regulations of the Local Government Board leave the most complete liberty of administration. Never was there a law less peremptory and exact in its pre scriptions. That no one who is willing to ask assistance shall be allowed to die of want is, practically, its sole assertion. It does not even give any right to relief, but grips the question solely by making neglect (if any serious consequences ensue) a criminal offence for those responsible for the execution of the law.

As regards the able-bodied there are, indeed, regulations which have the force of law, prescribing the terms on which relief may be given but for those who are not able bodied, and these include almost all the old, each Board of Guardians is at liberty to adopt its own rules and to change them at will, or to act without any rules at all. Each Board is free to give any sum it may think fit as out relief;free to construe destitution as it pleases free to make what arrangements it thinks right for the maintenance and comfort of the inmates of the workhouse. The Local Government Board has to be referred to as regards the appointment, remuneration, or dismissal of officers and other matters, but any interference exerted by the central authority is rather of the nature of insisting on a minimum provision being made. Existing buildings must not be over crowded; the plan of new buildings must be approved; the dietary scale must be submitted and must be suficient, &c.

The result of so much freedom of action is an extra ordinary diversity of administration, only afiected by the personal influence of the Government Inspectors, who have large districts under their supervision. The first duty of the Inspectors is to see that the destitute are not neglected; but they find no less important work to do in safeguarding the independence of the poor by inculcating sound principles of relief, and seeking by good advice to check any demoralizing extravagance.

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