Ch. xii. Coutbnuit'wn of the same Subject. 409 



sent state of things in this country the case is es- 

 sentially different. With so very large a body of 

 poor habitually dependent upon public funds, the 

 institution of saving-banks cannot be considered 

 in the light of substitutes for the poor's rates. 

 The problem how to support those who are in 

 want in such a manner as not continually to in- 

 crease the proportion which they bear to the whole 

 society will still remain to be solved. But if any 

 plan should be adopted either of gradually abo- 

 lishing or gradually reducing and fixing the amount 

 of the poor's rates, saving-banks would essentially 

 assist it; at the same time that they would receive 

 a most powerful aid in return. 



In the actual state of things, they have been 

 established at a period likely to be particularly un- 

 favourable to them — a period of very general dis- 

 tress, and of the most extensive parochial assist- 

 ance; and the success which has attended them, 

 even under these disadvantages, seems clearly to 

 shew, thatin a period of prosperity and good wages, 

 combined with a prospect of diminished parochial 

 assistance, they might spread very extensively, 

 and have a considerable effect on the general habits 

 of a people. 



With a view to give them greater encouragement 

 at the present moment, an act has been passed 

 allowing persons to receive parish assistance at the 

 discretion of the justices, although they may have 

 funds of their own under a certain amount in a 

 saving-bank. But this is probably a shortsighted 

 policy. It is sacriticing the principle for which 



