These figures will show that even in the dark days of The 

 1834, that dreary time when poverty was considered so jnc^'bu*"' 

 excessive as to demand a change in our Com Laws, only 

 about seven millions were raised in poor-rates, while 

 the incidence per head of population was only 5s. 9d. 



In 1895-96 the amount raised was over twenty-six 

 millions, and the incidence per head rose to 13s. 5d. ; 

 in 1901 it was found necessary to raise as much as 

 thirty millions with an incidence of 14s. 8d. ; while in 

 1904-5 nearly thirty-five milhons were required, with a 

 still higher charge per head of population of i6s. 2d. 



The Government's own figures, therefore, show how 

 poverty and pauperism have flourished under State 

 protection, and how, in spite of enormous trade expan- 

 sion and industrial progress and of the vast accumula- 

 tion of individual wealth, it has grown into an insatiable 

 monster which administrative effort cannot appease 

 nor national sacrifice satisfy. Governments have done 

 their best under an unhealthy system which engenders 

 its own agents of destruction, while tax-payers have 

 flung their millions into these fathomless quicksands of 

 pauperism without avail and without hope. 



Seven hundred and twenty millions sterling in poor- 

 rates have been raised since the Poor Law Amendment 

 Act of 1834 came into operation, and who shall say that 



