116 Pauperism in New South Wales. 



The paupers in New South. "Wales, calculated by the number 

 of inmates in Benevolent Asylums, Destitute Children's Asylum, 

 and other Schools, was, upon the 31st December, 1867, 2538, or 

 1 to every 176 of the population. 



I will now briefly allude to the question of relief to able-bodied 

 adults in health. Referring to the Registrar's statistics for 1867, 

 we find that the lowest rate of wages for mechanics is quoted at 

 8s. per diem, or £50 per annum, exclusive of board and lodging ; 

 and that the average rate for the last four yeurs has been nine 

 shillings per diem, or £75 per annum, exclusive of board and 

 lodging. That the lowest rate for farm labourers and shepherds 

 was £28, per annum, exclusive of board and lodging; the average 

 for farm labourers having been £29, and the average for shep- 

 herds, £32. For female servants the lowest quoted rate was 

 £15 per annum, exclusive of board and lodging ; and the average 

 was £21. I believe I am correct in judging that bread, tea, 

 sugar, and common groceries, taken in the aggregate, may be 

 calculated at nearly the same price in New South "Wales as they 

 are in Great Britain ; and that the price of meat has ranged in 

 New South "Wales at from one-third to one-fourth of its retail 

 price in Great Britain. Finally, I am informed that a largo 

 amount of capital, during the last few years, remained idle, in 

 consequence of the high range of wages, rendering its employ- 

 ment unprofitable. If these data are correct, it must be allowed 

 that no necessity can exist at present for granting Poor Law re- 

 lief to this class ; and this being the case, it will be evident that 

 any such aid would, if granted, be unjust to the taxpayer, inju- 

 rious to the community, and destructive to the independence, 

 industrial habits, and self-reliance of the persons relieved. 



We have now to ascertain, as far as possible, if the numerical 

 increase of the true pauper class is. or is not, out of proportion 

 to the population and circumstances of the colony. 



The records of the Immigration department show that from 1st 

 January, 1838, to 3 1st December, 1^67, the number of persons 

 who landed in the colony, being above twelve years of age, was 

 111,180. The influx of adult life represented by these figures 

 has probably had its influence in yielding a disproportionate 

 number of aged and infirm. It is true that the more favoured 

 condition of New South Wales, in comparison with Great Britain, 

 amply compensates for this result ; but it must also be borne in 

 mind that, while the advantages enjoyed by the colony undoubt- 

 edly tend to the material prosperity of the large proportion of 

 immigrants, the special features of the country, unfortunately 

 favour the growth of pauperism and dependence among those 

 possessing impaired health, diminished energy, sensual disposi- 

 tions, or idle habits. To such, the absence of family ties and 

 associations, the uncertain character of the occupation, the gam- 



