PENSIONS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 232, 25 June 1921, Page 7

PENSIONS

Sir,— With the. pension list and the demands rapidly increasing, is it not time that tho Government faced the position and made it compulsory for all adults to provide by regular payments for their own pensions We all know of scores cf young men and young women, too, who spend all their earnings in pleasure with no thought for the future. IVe know of men who have had every chance, and have been long years in the Dominion and have never saved a penny. These people and many others need saving from themselves. At present things are being allowed to drift, and the demands on the thrifty are growing beyond reason. The Government are expected to provide for all those who are too lazy, too indifferent, or too improvident to provide for themselves. I arrived in New Zealand in 1864. I have brought up a family; I have no pension, hut I am expected to pay by taxation and otherwise my share in providing for those who have neglected to make any provision for themselves. The thrifty are -those who when the.v were young denied themselves so that they might have some comfort in their old age. People nowadays do not think of denying themselves anything: when they have money in their pockets to burn. As a result we see the theatres and the race-tracks full, to say nothing of the hotel bars. What is the remedy? A universal pension scheme to which every boy and girl over 18 should be compelled to subscribe. The Government profess to lie appalled at the rapidly-increasing taxation, here is a measure of relief. The payments to a compulsory pension scheme would soon build up‘a fund which could be spent on works of a. revenue-producing character, and (employment would be given to many. Money at present idly dissipated could he turned to good use. Please think it over, Mr. Editor, and let us have your opinion.—l am, etc., OLD SETTLER.