OLD-AGE PENSIONS.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 16, 19 July 1905, Page 5

OLD-AGE PENSIONS.

REPORT ON LAST YEAR'S | WORKING. The Registrar of Old-age Pensions, in submitting his annual report on the working of the Department, states that as a direct result of the new system of investigation a further reduction of pensioners has to be recorded. The number on the roll on 31st March, 1905, was 11,770, being 156 less than at the close of the previous year, and 1006 less than on 31st March, 1902, when the number was at its highest since the inauguration ,<if the scheme — namely, ia,776. "It might be supposed," remarks the Registrar, "from this continued drop in the number of participants in the scheme that the natural decrease by death is each year exceeding the natural increase of incoming pensioners," but he lays particular stress on the fact that this is not so. "The time when the outgo will equalise the new grants may arrive in the future, but it is not yet in sight. When it is stated that the number of new grants since the 31st March, 1902, has exceeded the number of deaths by no less than a total of 782, it will at once be recognised that the natural tendency is towards an increase rather than to a reductipn in the number of pensions." What really accounts for the marked decrease in the number of pensioners since 1902 is, according to the Registrar, the fact that during the past three years as many as 1788 pensioners have been removed from the rolls by reasons other than death, due to the close system of investigation. The Registrar cannot, however, guarantee any further appreciable decrease — in fact, he is of opinion that bedrock has just about been reached, and he looks forward to an increase. After giving figures from the census returns, he states that the number of persons becoming eligible by age and residence each year is increasing, and the number of participants must, he states, increase correspondingly. "One thing which must be borne in mind in connection with the present low percentage," he continues, "is the fact that for a number of years past the colony has enjoyed undoubted prosperity, and while the period of good seasons is with us it is to be expected that the number of o'aimants will be reduced to a. minimum But," he goes on to say, "it is not in my power to estimate, in the event of a wave of depression unfortunately overtaking us, how many of the thousands not now on the roll who are eligible by age and residence, and who are earning their £52 a^ year and more, which sum renders them ineligible, would be compelled by force of circumstances caused by dearth of employment to claim what the law provides is their undoubted right — the pension." It is certain, he concludes, that the number of such would be considerably more than most people imagine. Out of the 11,770 pensioners on we rolls 78 per cent. or 9200, are in receipt of the full pension of £18. Last year there were 1035 married couples drawing the pension. There are 1418 European pensioners of the age of 71 years ; 71 are of the age of 90 and over ; nine are 95 years and over, and throe are over 100 years. The actual payment for lost year totalled £195,475, being the lowest paid in any one year since 1900, and £7689 less than the amount paid the previous year. The sum of £5132 was recovered by way of pensions illegally obtained during the early years of the Act. The cost of administration during the year was £3936. The total amount of pensions paid to Charitable Aid and Hospital Boards during the past year ' was £11,351, while the number of pensioners resident in the institutions controlled by these Boards on 31st March was 663. The Registrar says that he reported last year that he was not impressed with the building in Nelson known as the Old People's Home, where some thirty pensioners now reside, and to the authorities of which the Department paid last year £569. He now reports that in his opinion the Old People's Home in Napier is in even a worse condition that the Home in Nelson, and he does not think that aged people should be permitted to reside in such very old wooden buildings. In conclusion the Registrar emphasises the necessity for greater care in issuing warrants to agents to collect the pension on behalf of pensioners, and declares emphatically that before a pension is granted the proof of age should be absolute. POLITICAL NOTES. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Premier, in reply to Mr. Duthie, yesterday said he was working very hard at the preparation of the Financial Statement, and hoped to bring it down not later than Tuesday next. At any rate, he was going to try. THE LAND COMMISSION'S REPORT. A huge volume was laid on the table by the Premier yesterday, and he informed the House that it was the evidence taken before the Land Commission. (Mr. Duthie: "Who will ever read it, I wonder?") The Piemier: You coiddn't give a man a greater punishment. In answer to tho Leader of the Opposition he said the minutes of the Commission's proceedings would also be printed shortly, and he intimated that a full opportunity for discussing the report would be given, in about a fortnight. THE MESSAGE. "Message from His Excellency the Governor," exclaimed Mr. Speaker yeiterday afternoon. The House at once stood, as though in the presence of the Sovereign. But there was a hitch. The Message was there all right, and signed "Plunket, Governor," in due order, but there was nothing in it. The Premier cast a lurid glance around, evidently seeking for some official on whom to heap the vials of his wrath. No official, however, was at hand, and with a smile in response to the loud laughter from the House, he retired for a few moments, filled in the omission, and the Message was read to the House with all the solemnity that befitted the occasion. ELECTORAL LAW. From enquiries made it seems unlikely that the Government will bring down this session any proposal with regard to the electoral law in the direction of the absolute majority or the second ballot. The Government will go to the polls on the present system of voting. IN TROUBLE. One of the Government Whips was called to order last night. He was quoting from the report of a speech by the Leader of the Opposition at Dunedin, where he was reported to have said that the receipt 'of a pension affixed a stigma to the recipient. The newspaper reported that at this statement some one present said, "You are a liar." Mr. Flatman, who was reading the extraot, was at once pulled up by the Speaker, who pointed out that a member could not read any language which would bo unparliamentary if he wero to use it himself. "You did not mean it offensively," isaid tho Native Minister in an evident attempt to help tho Government henchman out of a difficulty. "I did not mean it offensively," repeated Mr. Flatman.

The Leader of the Opposition : "Yes, you did." The Government Whip, however, at length withdrew the remark. LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM. The representative of the Government in the Legislative Council is the At-torney-General. On more than one ocean sion in the past a, statement casually made by Colonel Pitt has proved to bo a useful pointer as to Government's intentions. Yesterday, in the com he of tho debate on the Hon. Sir G. M. O'Rqrke'a motion for the restoration of the' old provincial system, the Atlorney-Gererul said that the Council knew that local government was a question that must bo dealt ■with, and added that it could noli be delayed. "It must be dealt with," he said, "if not this session — yet' nexli session." This appears, in the light of past experience, to dispose of auy prediction of absolute certainty that tho Government will deal with this oil-pro < raised measure of reform this session. CONCERNING ROYAL COMMISHIONS. A curious little straw to show tha way the political wind blows in tho matter of Royal Commissions appeared in atf accidental and unobtrusive way iv the discussion on the Old-age Pension/* Bill in the House last night. Mr. Heko was discoursing in a general fashion on the subject, and in the course of his argument he said : "It would be fax belter to bet up a Royal Commission tfl enquire into the subject." "No, no, no,'* came in a soft but decideu. murmur from, every quarter of a very listless House. AN INTERESTING FINISH. - The end of the debate on the Old-ag& Pensions Act Amendment Bill supplied the final piquancy of the brandied cherry at the bottom of the cocktail. During the debate Mr. Hoke announced that ho would give the Opposition a chance of showing its opinion on the matter, and when the question was put the only "no" against' the third reading was supplied by him. There appeared, however,, to be a difficulty; about getting tellers when, after his reiterated "no" on thrf second putting of the question, Mr. Heke forced a resort to a lobby division For a minute it appeared that a second; teller could not be found to assist Mr. Heke. Mr. Parata, however, stepped into the breach, and. the difficulty was solved. Contrary to the usual custom, of self-sacrificing Government tellers on such occasions, however, the two nativa members forgot to make the customary explanation, and will appear in Hansard as opponents of the third reading. Premier, ou the division-list being read, invested the occasion with a special holiday air by immediately moving the adjournment of the House with a joyous empressement. DUTY ON FLOUR. The debate on Mr. Hogg's Flour- Dutj Abolition Bill, which commenced on Friday last, was resumecf- yesterday afternoon, in a thin and somewhat inattentive Hou^e. Mr. Rutherford said this was practically a question of Town v. Coutt" try. This duty of £1 a ton on dour .and 9d a cental on wheat was the only pro-, tection the jjoor farmer had in returns for the enormous protective duties im> posed for the benefit of the cities. Mr, Tanner denied this statement, and quoted from the Customs tariff to show that the existing tariff had been framed with the idea of protecting the producer ami the farmer at every possible point. Mr. Laurenson also pointed out that the flour duty did not in the slightest degree affect the pi'ice the farmer receives for Ms wheat. Mr. Barber said the point was this — that the duty on flour only yielded about £450 revenue, but it enabled tho flourmiH<jrs to put an extra £1 a ton on all the flour they sold, and thus increased the price of bread. After fur" ther debate the Bill was read a first time on the voices. JOTTINGS. A number of members of the K"ew Lit> eral Party have been asked to deliver addresses on the platform of their party in various parts of the colony. They are now making arrangements to accede to the requests. « The evidence taken before the Land Commission weighs, in its printed form, 101b. "The purveyor of political platitudes <>a behalf of the Government " — Mr nawkino on Mr. Flatman. ' Mr. Ell is urging tHe Colonial Secre tary to direct that a few couples of tha native bird huia be placed on" Little Barrier Island, Kapiti Island, and Resolution Islaud, with a view to tho preservation of the species. The Minister in charge of the Advances to Settlers Department is being asked by Mr. Herries whether he is aware that tha Department is endeavouring to compel mortgagors to insure in the State Fore In. surance Department; and, if so, whether that is the avowed policy of the' Government 1 ' Mr. Hogg is to ask the Minister foil Agriculture if he has considered the gen-erally-expressed desire of stockowners tkad the importation of bonedust into the coj» ony should be stopped until effectual precautionary measures for sterilising the same and preventing the further spread of anthrax are adopted; if so, what steps' does he propose to take? There is only one member of the Houso who has decently cut clothes, says lliv Rutherford, who added that it was easily seen that the said clothes came from, outside the colony. "If there is a reconstructed Ministry^ three or four of the Country Party ought) to be in at." — Mr. Rutherford's view. AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE. RURAL EDUCATION. - DELEGATES DECLARE FOR NATURE STUDY. The second day's sitting of the Agricultural Conference began at 10 o'clock this morning in the Museum Buildings, There was a full attendance of delegates, and a number of visitors were also pre> sent. v Mr. Edwin Hall (Auckland) brought for* ward the following motion from the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Associa--tion: — "That in the opinion of this Conference it is imperative for the well-being and development of our agricultural and pastoral resources, that the Government should at once take steps to provide ai moro efiicient system of agricultural education iv rural districts, (a) By obtainingthe services of four men, competent to organise a system for the training of public school teachers in New Zealand, which shall fit them lo give practical instruction in the elementary niinciples of agriculture in rural schools, upon the same general lines to tlioso that have been< adopted in Canada and tins United Statea of Ameiica. (b) The men selected to ba employed as organiser's^aml travelling in-, structors in the four chief educational districts of the colony, in conjunction with, th^ education boards of those districts ta tiam teachers at tho normal colleges and at other educational centres, with a view of introducing into their schools the cultivation of school gardens, and the teaching of nature study, with a special bearing towards agriculture. (c) By consolidating, wherever possible, a number ot email country schools into one large cea-' tral school, and transporting the- pupils

4 <^ft^d fe** **f charge." The mover "sikt^vl $&*\ hvf: Association set up a spe%ft!l i\sltfttftte£ to misickr the question of VtOviA itf&tafttitftt, and this motion was the ttf *h<> consideration. The ComSMi'W* iwt-ltttfctfl Messrs. G«o. .George tlivcto? rf Uie Technical School), It. sfc. l^* X*s IVicucke, and the mover. ItW VVsium>kt<w had come to tho conclufcfeft Ww*, U> bo effective, the training for *£¥kaUw*l pursuits should commence in We jwtwmy schools, as it was there that Ifcjft ittsJtwitr of future farmers would re*eiv% Uifcir education. In other lands *aa<U \r»s being done to educate the young formers i«i farm schools and agricultural teriiegvs. by the college extension moveSft«it, the fostering of farmers' institutes, travelling libraries, home-reading circles, »ad~ cwwspoudeuce classes. The object TOis to awaken interest, train the pupil to obsnvo and think for himself without books or other helps, and furnish him with better eyes than his fellows. Conferences hivd been discussing this question generally for so many .years that it was thought better now to submit a definite concrete proposition. " i The motion was seconded by the President (Mr. J G. Wilson), who ttai that the necessity for rural education was greater in New Zealand than j in any other part of the' world, and he j "was pleased that this was being more and more recognised. But to get the best, education for children in the country, the teachers must themselves be taught in things pertaining to nature. The speaker said that instead of encouraging nature study, the JMucation Department had actually penalised one teacher, who had taken up the work in his school enthusiastically, by allowing his salary to be reduced until the teacher felt that he would have to seek another position in order to. get an adequate salary. Mr. GLbruth (Chief Veterinarian) said there was need to give our teachers a"ccurate knowledge when they undertook technical education in -rural districts, by tzaiiOßg from observation rather than by books and memory. Mr. T. W. Kirk "(Biologist) agreed with the previous speakers. _ He thought that as agricultural and pastoral pursuits contributed 13 millions of the 15 millions value of our exports, its children should receive more attention in regard to special technical, education than had been given them in the past. Teachers in country schools were quite anadeqift:ely paid, and all the plums of j the profession should not be given to | teachers, in city schools." He had sug- < geated that the Government should ac- < quire the late Mr. Mason's fine gulden j at the Hutt for the purpose of en- r couraging the study of hottjculture>. The j garden was near the Agricultural D»- j partment's laboratory, and teachers and . > fanners could be given rural education J by combining the two. Suggestions made i by State experts were given very much j greater weight if backed up by discus- | sions at conferences. He suggested that , this conference sshould set up a small i working committee tr, follow up what- | ever decision should be arrived at. Professor Lowrio (Lincoln College), as a, teacher of agriculture, was' pleased to see that the subject was so well received. I He i did not think' agriculture could be \ taught in the elementary schools, where j too much was already attempted. Better 'provision should be made- for training j young teachers in natural science, so that they can take their scholars out into the j open. He thought there was too nsuch , of the. Oxford influence — the teaching of ! dead languages — in our secondary schools. ; The worst pupils at 'his College came ! from the secondary schools, and they | could not even chop wood with safety or efficiently. They could not hope to get children taught in nature study from a class which gets less pay t^ian was given to plumbers and carpenters. Mr. G. Hogben (Inspector-General of Schools) said that as soon as he came into his office in the Department he circulated a. leaflet containing particulars of the French scheme of raral education. If that scheme could have been adopted, I ■New Zealand would have made a very good beginning indeed._ The colony had ' in the Slate employ highly-qualified scientific men, it needed practical men with { a scientific bent- who could ; apply the ideas of the purely- scientific ! man. He agreed that the teaching of agriculture could not be carried out in our primary schools, but a groundwork for an agricultural training could be laid there. We should teach in our schools the subjects that lie nearest to the interesta of the various districts, i Electricity and magnetism, typewriting and shorthand, should Dot be taught in a , school .which is located in the heart of ; • & dairying district, as he had actually j seen in one of our schools recently. It became absolutely necessary that teachers '" must* be trained for rural populations. Not that our teachers were wholly ignorant of 'the -special subjects required, and the winter schools which were begun two or three years ago were developing nature study in our teachers. If the j teacfiers were taught to observe, then - dur methods of teaching would entirely change, and his experience at the winter school 'at Hawkes Bay recently showed him that the forward movement was already . on the way. Nature study was also 'to be taken up at the training colleges which the Department was establishing under the Education Boards, and in one of tlie two already established work was being done in tho direction^ indicated as desirable to the conference. The motior- before the meeting suggested that teachers ohonld be sent to an institution for special training! Well, that, was a large and expensive order, as there were three thousand teachers in the colony, and 'it would coat £100 each to give the teachers the six months' training desired. He suggested that the lour organisers should be employed by Education* Boards and not by the Department, and there should be classes formed right away in country districts for the instruction m agriculture of teachers and farmers' sons and daughters, and eleven teachers of the kind required could be obtained from England at £300 a year ' each. Under our" regulations farmers' unions, agricultural and pastoral associations, etc., could form Boards for technical instruction in - different districts and achieve the object aimed at. The associations forming this special Board could subscribe £100 per annum, another £100 would come from Government subsidy provided for, and, perhaps, anothei £100 could bb obtained from ;t; t special fund provided by Parliament for encouraging technical instruction. There was the £300 required for employing an expert and skilled teacher immediately. Besides this revenue, even at a low estimate of attendance £400 per annum should come from capitation, the students would receive free railway passes, and the apparatus would be provided fra from thfc Department. Onu teacher could attend to groups of classes in conntry districts. Personally, he would lend the movement every assistance Dr. Truby King (Seacliff) said he was in entire accord with Messrs. Hall, Gilruth, and Hogben. He agreed with Professor Lowrie that very young children were taught too much in our schools, and he would like to see tho cliildren allowed more time • for recreation and for observation in. natural science. He moved that a amall committee, consisting of the President, Professor Lowrie, and Messrs. B. M'Nab, M.H.R.. E. Hall, J. A. Gilruth, R. Dick, and "the mover, be set up" to prepare a report on the subject just discussed, with a view to setting tho desire of, the Conference before the Premier. The to wait upon the Premier in-

dependent of the main deputation which is "to be sent to the Premier by the Conference. The main resolution (Mr. Hall's) and Dr. King's motion, which was seconded by Mr. Wm. .Coleman (Nelson), were then carried on the voices without further discussion. Tho Minister of Lands was present throughout the discussion.