The Hastings Standard Published Daily. SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1896. OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 101, 22 August 1896, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1896. OLD AGE PENSIONS.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

In his annual report, the Inspector of Prisons draws attention to the custom of sending aged paupers to prison for no fault of their own, but simply because they are too old for labor, or to earn an honest living. It is done in the name of humanity, because there are no other establishments to receive them, but as such cases could be maintained cheaper and better in any home or almhouse, the Inspector thinks it seems an outrage on the feelings of these aged persons, who in some cases have become poor through no fault of their own, that they should have such an indignity put xipon them at the close of their lives as to be sent to prison because they are too old to earn their living. Although old men's homes and refuges have been established in different towns throughout the colony, in places where they do not exist the poor man often ends his days in a gaol. It is indeed hard that those who have borne the trials and burdens of the pioneer days should in their old age be compelled to suffer the indignity of a prison life. If for no other reason than this, it is to be hoped that the Old-age Pensions Bill will be persevered with this session, and that it will not be dropped with the " innocents," It seeins perfectly just that after the passing of the proposed measure every person attaining the age of 65 shall be entitled to not less than 5s nor more than 10s per week, for thereat of their lives. A stipulation was made that any recipient must haw resided not ifcss than twenty

years in the colony. Various methods were mentioned by which the sum required to meet this end might be raised by the State, but there should be little difficulty, if the principle is confirmed, in raising the wind. Although the measure has so far been in the background, it is to be hoped that the short time at the disposal of the House will not prevent its discussion at any rate. There are men, especially on the goldfields of the colony, who would rather starve than end their days in a prison ; but if they were entitled to a State pension on attaining a certain age,- they might be able to look hopefully to at least a happy ending to a useful life. Their work as colonists of twenty years should entitle them to better remuneration than the life of a pauper.