PENALTY ON THRIFT

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 266, 6 August 1931, Page 8

PENALTY ON THRIFT

Lesson from the East

PENSIONS AND RELIEF — / Dominion Special Service.

Masterton, August 5.

One matter in which we have something to learn from the East, Mr. J. A. Brailsford, 8.A., suggested in the course of a lecture to the Masterton branch of the Workers’ Educational Association is the basis on which old-age pensions and similar allowances are paid. In the Eastern countries, he said, old people were maintained adequately as a matter of right, in some cases receiving a double share, of the income from communal property. It had always surprised hAn that in this country improvidence was encouraged, and thrift discouraged. If old' people had shown little, thrift, they were denied the old-age pension. If they were able to earn a little or if somebody gave them a little private help, their pension rights again were forfeited. It was the same with family allowances and now with unemployment benefits. The Unemployment Board had stated that its policy ■was not to relieve workers, who were possessed of some savings. It was all an absolute encouragement of pauperism and discouragement of thrift, declared Mr. Brailsford.