72 THE MURDER OF AGRICULTURE 



Speaking of the Berlin night refuges, which are dis- 

 tinct from our workhouses, the Commission says : 



" The inmates of these refuges are divided into two 

 classes. One class consists of those who constantly make 

 use of them; the other of those who are forced to do so 

 by temporary circumstances. The former consists of 

 individuals who never seem to care to look out for re- 

 gular occupation. 



" If it is discovered that they have no inclination to 

 work, they are handed over to the police and sent to a 

 house of correction." 



These extracts, although brief, are really a summary 

 of the impressions of the six members of the Commission 

 in respect to the German " Pauper " question. There is 

 admittedly a certain number of destitute people in 

 Germany who have to be provided for by the various 

 municipal bodies, and there are poor in every country in 

 the world, but pauperism as we have it, legalised into a 

 State institution, exacting from the pockets of the tax- 

 payers the enormous sum of £34,000,000 annually in 

 POOR RATES, is nothing but a monstrous growth on the 

 civilisation of a great country and a standing reproach 

 to our legislature. 

 Old Age The important question of "old age pensions" 



Pensions 



which IS very much m evidence at the present time, was 

 also dealt with by the Gainsborough Commission. 



The delegates were much impressed by the fact that 

 there was a scheme in operation throughout Germany 

 whereby the working classes were provided for in old 

 age or infirmity. 



