922 REPORT—1890. 
still greater liberality, to their own hurt and the loss of the ratepayers, who thus 
became the subjects of unfair treatment. 
Up to this point there was little room for the exercise of a discrimination apper- 
taining to a semblance of check or repression. Injustice reached the culminating 
point: and if the experience of that day was to be made use of, the error under 
any such or like circumstances would never be repeated. The unsound policy 
was clearly seen, and the only excuse for it was the exigencies of a political party. 
Errors were multiplied with the miseries accompanying them. The State was 
decidedly sick, and at last the Royal Commission of 1834 was appointed to 
inquire into the evils of Poor Law administration, and point out the necessary 
remedies, 
Their report was quoted, and the author of the paper gave an epitome of its 
contents, and also of the two principal Orders for the prohibition and regulation of 
relief. In these the directions were so large and comprehensive as to those who were 
to be relieved, that very little room was left for the exercise of any general dis- 
crimination between classes ; whilst the orders were entirely silent on the matter 
of discerning between the good and the bad. 
Acts of Parliament, orders, rules, and regulations appear to have been issued 
utterly regardless of the distinction of character ; and this avoidance of the matter 
was no doubt the direct result of the Commission, which clearly adverted to the 
evils which had theretofore to some extent resulted from the licence to discriminate. 
Such evidence as that produced to the Commissioners ought to be received as a, 
warning, and their conclusions and advice received with the utmost respect. The 
exercise of a discrimination upon the basis of character at the present time had the 
tendency to destroy great principles, found to be necessary for the safe administra- 
tion of relief, and consequently to obliterate the proper lines of action. 
The necessities of the applicant alone ought to be the ground‘of granting relief. 
Indoor relief, being the kind least likely to be abused, required to be surrounded 
by no very stringent safeguards. But the principles governing the grant of out- 
relief were in a great measure identical with those practised with regard to the 
Jatter. The condition of the workhouse indigent, so far as it might be regarded 
from the cost point of view, ought not to be better than that of the poor labourer, 
But even workhouse cleanliness, wholesome food, given at regular intervals, good 
shelter, and necessary warmth were comforts such as but few of the poorest class 
could command. 
A summary of the contents of the paper would lead to the conclusion, that upon 
the question whether an indigent should or should not receive assistance from the 
public funds, there ought to be no exercise of a discrimination between the good and 
bad. But when the nature of the relief to be given came to be considered, a minor 
discrimination might be judiciously exercised. 
In the workhouse, a safe and sound discrimination might be attempted. 
There were to be found there persons whose condition had not been induced 
by any errors of their own, and a sub-classification might be made, having 
in view the placing together of such persons, when such privileges might be 
accorded them as to render their position less irksome ; not forgetting, however, the 
necessity still to make it an undesirable place of abode. 
2. Exhibition of Maps illustrating the Statistics of Pauperism. 
By Dr. Ropes. 
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8. 
The following Papers were read :— 
1. Joint Discussion with Section E (Geography) on Lands still available for 
European Settlement. 
