READING the article 'Hard Graft at the Mill' (Citizen, May 6), that was real poverty in those days - unlike today, with Jobseekers Allowance, child benefit and family credit.

People had to go out and work damned hard for what little they had. People talk about 'hard times' today, but most don't know the meaning of the words. There are too many lazy, selfish, greedy folk who get too much too soon, and give little in return.

W Littlefair, Preston

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.