L Relief on Loan
We may note that the Central Authority did not advise making use of the statutory power to grant relief in the form of a loan, as a means of discouraging applicants, but regarded it solely as a way of saving the rates. Such relief was to be granted with due consideration and the bona fide intention of recovering.476 Relief could not be given on loan if it would be contrary to Order to grant it not on loan.477 In fact, what might not lawfully be given, was not to be lent.478 Whatever was granted on loan should always be strictly recovered in due time. “The power of lending is only to be exercised where the guardians think fit to do something less than absolutely give the relief applied for in cases where the application is lawful.”479 As examples of occasions suitable for relief on loan, the Central Authority adduced that of a mentally defective person having a regular and sufficient income, but yet occasionally destitute from incapacity to manage his expenditure.480 Other cases are those of wives or children found destitute, when the relief may be made on loan to the husbands or parents.481 A further instance is supplied by relief applied for by the mother of an illegitimate child who is entitled to periodical payments from the putative father. The putative father may be asked to make his payments in such a way as to facilitate the recovery of the loan from the mother.482 We find no revival of the idea mooted in 1840 of granting medical relief on loan.