In The Bulletin, February 19, 1977, p. 13, it reads:

The best way to help the poor is not to become one of them.
Lang Hancock, millionaire mining magnate

This is found in the regular section titled “All Their Own Work,” which collects several one-liners credited to celebrities like Britt Ekland and Joh Bjelke-Petersen, which itself is found within the regular section “So It Goes,” which is edited by Robert Drewe.

On the few occasions where Hancock’s line is referenced, the most information I have ever seen is: “The Bulletin, 1977.” Did Drewe make it up? Where did Hancock first say it? Help appreciated.