Star.
London, England, 1821-05-01 00:00:00

THE POOR LAIVS.

LETTER IL
TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.

, Sin—ln the event of the establishment of the new
system of Relief of the 1)001, by extension and altera-
tion of the Plan of Savings Banks, as described in my
last letter, I have to observe, that the amount of de-
posits would 44 course vary, and vary relatively ;but
as soon as the accounts were rendered of the deposits
at the end of the Quarter, and a fair statement made
out, specifying the amounts deposited monthly, by
the respective classes and subdivisions, an expert Ac-
countant would make out the requisite formula for
shewing the rate of distribution of the new fund in a day.
It can be no disadvantage to the State to pay four
per. Cent. on the amount of deposits. It is extremely
probable that the whole accumulations in Savings
Banks will never exceed forty millions ; and that the
amount of deposits will be pretty uniform ; and such
a sum may be employed for the public service in lieu
of borrowing, or may be partly applied to pay off
some portion of that part of the Public Debt which.
is redeemable at par.
The institution of the Savings Banks is a great step
towards carrying into effect the present Plan, and
many regulations are already established that would
facilitate the execution of it. The detail? of the al-
terations it would require in the duties of Vestiies,
Parish Officers, and the Clergy, I propose to suggest
on a future occasion; but it does not appear to me
necessary to increase the labour of Parochial business,
and it certainly would render it less harassing and
disagreeable.
The first essential in regard to carrying this Plan
into effect is, that Corn be at a low price at the rime
of its commencement.

2dly. That the measure be well understood by all
classes of People.
idly. That Parishes or individuals in the first in-
stance, and Individuals permanently, be authorized
to make deposits in behalf of those helpless and indi-
gent persons who have not the means of making de-
posits for their own benefit.
Lastly, and which indeed might appear the chief
difficulty, there must be a temporary adaptation of
the plain to the circumstances of different Parishes.
Nothing can be more various than the local pressure
of the Parish Rates at present ; and it may he said,
that in Parishes containing a vast :timber of poor,
now compelled to subsist by relief from the Rates,
there can be no accumulation by the poor for the
purpose of making deposits. Where this is the case,
Pat ishes, for a specified term, should have the power
of making deposits for the benefit of the distressed
poor, on this principle—that is to say, the claimants
for relief should make a representation every Quarter
to the Parish Officers, and their case should be con-
sidered by the Vestry : if they deem it necessary to
allow the claim, the Parish Officers should be autho-
rized to make a deposit to a limited extent in behalf
of the party, so as to constitute for him a claim to
share out of the new Fund ; but the total of deposit
and dividend should be distributed in stated weekly
portions by the Overseer, to the nominee of the Pa-
rish, within the ensuing Quarter.
Though it is evident that many Parishes which
have now an overwhelming burthen of Poor? Rates,
can only get rid of the charge gradually by the me-
thod above stated, yet, let anybody consider the amaz-
ing relief that they would derive from this contriv-
ance, and the satisfactory prospect that the charge
must, in the space of a few years, be put an end to.
There are cases at present of Parishes paging a sum
equal to the rental; under such circumstances, sup-
pose, at first, only half the charge could be got rid
of; that would be a prodigious benefit ; and the new
?system would further cause a considerable influx cf
money, in the shape of dividend from the new Fund,
into the Parish, to be expended there, the advantage
of which farmers and shopkeepers will well under-
stand. I remain, Sir,
• t
Your obedient, humble Servant,
COLUMELLA.