OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 256, 22 July 1908, Page 7

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

IN THE LORDS. THE SECOND READING CARRIED. DIRB PREDICTIONS. {at TELEGitArn —rftEss association—coriitidET.) (Rec. July 21, 11.15 p.m.) London, July 21, Tlio Government's Old Ago'Ponsions Bill (which has passed tho House of Commons) was read a second timo in tho Houso of Lords by 123 votes to IG. Lord Womyss (Conservative) moved an amendment to the effect that, pending tho roport of the Royal Commission on tho Poor Law, it would bo unwiso to consider Bills— of which tho Old Age Pensions Bill would bo one —giving an indefinite extension. to tho system of outdoor relief. FREE TRADE'S SO-CALLED FRIENDS. Lord Cromer (Unionist) said tho Bill was a reckless one, and was without a solid financial foundation, and would mortgago tho main r&sources of tho country for an indefinite timo. Thoso supposed to bo tho best friend's of Free Trado had stabbed that policy in tlio back, and had crippled our position In tho. event of any national emorgency. It was a financial revolution. Tlio Archbishop of Canterbury warmly approved tho Bill as a first step on a long and toilsome journey. Lord St. Aldwyn (formerly Unionist Chanof tho Exchequer) said that tho financial aspects of the pension scliemo were very grave. It might be like letting out water —no one was able to tell how far tho flood might rise. The cost ought to bo fairly divided among all classes of the community. He sympathised with tho amendment, but wss compelled to think of tho feelings of tlio country. YVINNINC VOTES,FOR PROTECTION. Lord Rosebery was of opinion that the consequences of tho Bill would be far greaterthan thoso of the great Reform Bill. 1 While it was within tho prerogative of the Houso of Lords, to reject tho Bill would be impolitic. It was Socialism pure nnd simple, but &>me such measuro ,was required. It would deal a mortal blow to private pension funds, would incrcaso taxation, and must mako many converts to Protection. . Ho feared that tlio Empire, which recently received a' new impulse, would be wrecked by its own filianco. Both parties would bid for Democratic support by .lowering tho age-limit and raising tho amount of tho pension. Tho country was undertaking an enormous liability with littlo inquiry, and the prospect filled him with despair. Art ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAUCRACY. Lord Lansdowno (Leader of tho Opposition) contended that tho Bill undermined the prosent poor law system, created a now huge .bureaucracy, and imposed a burden as heavy as tho cost of' a; groat war, but a burden from which tho country could never securo emancipation. Tho. financial conditions did not justify such ail immonso expenditure. Any European • financier would say that if tho Bill passed tho country must stand in a much weaker position. Ho 'did not adviso tho rejection of the Bill, since it Was a financial measuro and supported by colossal majorities in tho Hoitso of Commons. Ho hoped that in .cotnmittco tho Government' would not insist too severely on its privileges. . ' Tho Secretary for the- Colonics (Lord Crewe) said that tho Lords might" mako their minds easy regarding tho resources required to meet the, outlay for pensions. Tho interests of tho Empiro would bo'protected.