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NEWS RELEASE (CNS588) -->> SENIOR CITIZENS SECRETARIAT--NEW BOOK LAUNCHED SENIOR CITIZENS SECRETARIAT--NEW BOOK LAUNCHED ----------------------------------------------------------------- A new book chronicling the administration of the Nova Scotia Poor Law, which has formed the basis for the province's approach to social assistance, was officially launched in Halifax today. "Poverty, Poor Houses and Private Philanthropy" covers 1749 to the present, and contains numerous pages of interesting and dramatic material on the poor law, poor houses and county asylums that were central to law administration. The book documents the role of the voluntary and private sector agencies which, from the beginning, worked together to enhance and improve the system. The book was a project of the Senior Citizens' Secretariat from 1991 to 1996. A copy of the book was presented to Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Smith at today's reception at Province House. Members of the committee which undertook the project, including the research and writing, became known as the "Senior Scribes". They include Darrell Mills, Shirley Elliott, Doris Evans, Douglas Fraser, Daniel H. Johnson, Murray Knowles, Joan Lay, John LeBlanc, John A. MacKenzie, Dr. Fred MacKinnon, Dan MacLean, Max MacLeod, Harold Shea, Dr. Chester Stewart, Brian Vandervaart and Richard Wagner. "I applaud the committee members for their initiative and dedication in producing this book which will become an important historical document in the evolution of social assistance in Nova Scotia," said Dr. Smith. In his preface to the book, Dr. Fred MacKinnon wrote: "There are lessons to be learned from the information we have gathered. The most significant and fundamental lesson relates to the very essence and nature of public assistance for the needy..." A financial grant from the New Horizons Program, Health Canada assisted in making the book a reality. It is available for sale at the Senior Citizens' Secretariat by calling 902-424-0065 or 1-800-670-0065, and the Nova Scotia Government Bookstore at 902-424-7580, or 1-800-526-6575. -30- Contact: Brian Vandervaart 902-424-6322 trp Oct. 02, 1996 - 3 p.m.