P110I5LEM FOR THE BRITISH TAX- PAYERS 81 



There is a general gruiubliiii^f all along the lino of that vast 

 array of people who are compelled to hand over their rates and 

 taxes to the State coffers, and this means every householder in 

 the country, rich or poor; but they only grumhle and growl. 

 Let us, however, cease growling, and do something. Let us 

 make up our minds, since it is necessary for State purposes 

 that we should be taxed, that these taxes be wisely spent, not 

 wasted. Let us insist that our millions be laid out in a 

 manner that will encourage the people to cultivate habits of 

 self-help, thrift, and industry, and not in a way that brings 

 upon them the degradation of pauperism. 



Let us make it abundantly clear to Government and all 

 concerned, that every penny we yield up in rates and taxes 

 must be spent along utilitarian lines, and that the system of 

 relief to the people must be practical and co-operative, i.e. if the 

 State finds it necessary to call upon tax-payers to help the 

 people, they in turn ask that the State set up some practical 

 system of relief, wherel)y those requiring aid may be lielped to 

 become self-supporting citizens, and so, in time, find themselves 

 in a position to pay back to the State, in direct or indirect taxes, 

 the sum spent on them in their need. 



But before this can be accomplished there must be estab- 

 lished throughout this country a great and proper appreciation 

 of this pauper question on the part of all concerned. Govern- 

 ment, tax-payers, and the people must put a wise, practical 

 interpretation to its meaning, and not the sickly, mawkish, and 

 exceedingly unwise one it bears to-day. 



The Old, Infirm, the Blind, and Cripples only, to 

 BE Eecipients of State Aid 



They must at length determine that the only kind of 

 paupers who have any claim upon the public purse are those 

 who really and truly are unable to work, the aged and infirm, 

 those of feeble intellect, and young children. 



These poor items of the great human race have just claims 

 on State charity, and no others. Even for cripples and the 

 blind suitable light work can be found, and there is no need 

 that this unfortunate section of the community should become 

 altogether dependent upon State aid. Let these unfortunates 

 have the same opportunities for self-help as are offered to 

 others, and even they will be the better for it. 



For the rest, let work be found, and found in such 

 abuudance as will afford no possible excuse for idleness and 

 vagabondage. 



Provide them with suitable work, and then make it a 



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