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124
The question of how long this condition of things may be
expected to continue appears to me to be inseparably connected
"with the causes which have produced it. These seem to me, so
far as our Parish is concerned, to be as follow:—
The stagnation in the building trade, caused by the over
building at East Dulwich and elsewhere.
The increasing practice of importing finished goods, which
were hitherto hand-made by carpenters, joiners, and mechanics
generally.
The unusual severity of the past winter.
The general depression in trade.
Looking at these causes it appears to me that the present
distress may be slightly decreased with better weather, but will,
in all probability, continue for a long period to come.
GEORGE W. MARSDEN,
Vestry Clerk.
On the 3rd of March, 1886, the Joint Committees
reported to the Vestry that they had very carefully considered
the reference to them, and recommended that, with referenceto
the questions of the Local Government Board, the Board
be informed that, in the opinion of the Vestry, there is, in
this Parish, at the present time, great and exceptional distress,
especially among mechanics, clerks, unskilled workers, and
others who are not accustomed, even in the time of pressure,
to apply for assistance to the Poor Law Guardians, and that
the Board he further informed that the Vestry will take every
step towards expediting the early commencement of such works
in the Parish as may he expedient to be carried out, so that
occupation may be found, to as great an extent as possible,
for the unemployed of this district. The Vestry adopted the
recommendation, and it was duly communicated to the Board.