OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 228, 19 June 1908, Page 7

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

THE GERMAN MODEL OBJECTIONS BY MR. ASQUITH. I TOO MUCH COMPULSION. t BY TELEQE APH—TOES3 ABSOOIATION —COPYRIGHT. London, June 17.. In the course of the debate on the second reading of the Old Age Pensions Bill (which was carried), the Primo Minister) Mr. Asquith, contended that the resources of the oouutry under Free Trade wfero equal to tho financial demands of the Bill. The German system was impossible in Britaiq, said the Prime Minister, because it was based on ipquisition and compulsion. Ho added: "You cannot brigade Britain's industry." '> The Government's scheme was provisional, said Mr. Asquith in conclusion, and did not tie Parliament's hands for the future. In tiie division on Mr. H. Cox's amendment—which favoured contributory pensions on the German model, and which was rejected by 417 votes to 29—Mr. Balfour, Loader of the Opposition, did not vote. THE-GUILLOTINE. CARRIED BY OVER TWO HUNDRED VOTES. (Rec. Juno 18, 9.51 p.m.) London, June 18. Mr. ■ Asquith boing absent at Cambridge receiving an honorary degree, tho Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Lloyd-George, moved tho resolution of which Mr. Asquith had given notice, in favour of tho application of the guillotine to the consideration of the Old Age Pensions Bill. After a lengthy debate the resolution was carried, tho voting boing as follows:— For 306 Against 102 Majority for • 204 Mr. Balfour, Leaclor of tho Opposition, protested that tho Houso's privileges wero being curtailed to an unprecedented extent. Too many controversial measures were introduced in a singlo session. Mr. Lloyd-George replied that tho resolution was a- summary oxpodient intended to deal with a temporary difficulty. Under tho "guillotine" or "closure by compartments " system, so many days are given to each of tho remaining stages of a Bill, and thus cach str.ge comes automatically to an end at the given hour, and any outstanding amendments liave to be voted upon without debate.