He had his finger on the button

Following on from the last post, in 1888 another character toured the country having a look at the poor. He was Duncan McGregor, the Inspector of Hospitals and Charitable Aid. He opposed 'outdoor relief' (any form of charity that was provided outside an institution). He spoke against central government's role in providing assistance to the poor because it taught men and women to rely on government and 'disbelieve the scripture, "He that will not work, neither shall eat" '. He also claimed that, 'we mortals have the capacity to consume the solar system on such terms....Society attempts to cheat both God and the Devil by giving money out of...taxes, and soothes its conscience by thinking it is providing for the poor; whereas in sober fact it is merely drugging itself and poisoning them.'

(Source; A Civilised Community, Margaret McClure)