PENSIONS FOR THE AGED.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 2, Issue 127, 3 July 1895, Page 3

PENSIONS FOR THE AGED.

The French Government in April last proposed, and the popular Chambers accepted, a scheme of State pensions to aged work-people. It iB far from being a perfect measure, or one whose basic idea is sound. It provides that pensions shall be granted to workmen who have f übscribed for ten years to benefit societies, raising their allowance to a maximum of 365 frances (about £9) a year. Thiß is considered the alimentary minimum below which it is useless to allow pensions. The Socialists resisted the proposal, maintaining that all labourers were entitled to help in old age, and not merely such, labourers as had subscribed to friendly societies ; but ultimately they gave way, and the Bill was allowed to pass without a ,division. The credit voted was £BO,OOO a year, and the Socialists are in glee at what they consider the admission of their principle. The jubilation is justified, but it must bo deeply chastened by the reflection that the pension scheme adopted is but a small instalment of what is rightly asked, viz, the pensioning of all honest workers—the treating of them as soldiers who bavo served their term in the army of industry. The London Spectator holds that the rejoicing of the Socialists is out of place, inasmuch as the concession is "a denial of the Socialists principle, agrint of aid not according to men's needs, but according to their merits in saving money." There is here a confusion between Socialism and Communism. It is the latter that has for its creed:—"Each man according to his needs." The creed of Socialism is :—"Each according to his deeds."

Now, it is palpable that many of the people who make no provision for old age are those who bavo rendered the best service to the State, by rearing large families and supporting them by their own industry, until they became producers and taxpayers. To ignore the claims of these is to commit an act of gross injustice, and to apply the pule, "Unto him that hath shall be given." It is well, however, to find Governments recognising their duty towards the worn-out workers in a better way than by providing them with the cold shelter of a workhouse. In Germany the old-age pension scheme is subsidised-—the State, the employer and tho workman each paying a moiety towards the fund—and in England the scheme most in favour also proudoß for Government addition to tho voluntary contributions of the thrifty workers. By-aud-by, it may be hoped, tho principle will "be extended so as to secure the payment of pensions from the Consolidated Eund to all "unfit" workers, from whatever cause, saA r e only personal improvidence, drunkenness, idleness or criminalty.