WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1906. THE ANNUITIES SCHEME.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LI, Issue 9066, 11 April 1906, Page 4

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1906. THE ANNUITIES SCHEME.

T.ue Eremier should receive hearty a«id general support in. has annuity scheme. Tfc rests, 6o far as we understand it, on the sound basis of eelf-ireliance. and self denial on the part of the individual, and State encouxagemenib of the exercise of these virtues, Some of the details of the proposal were published yesterday, and appear to be calculated to raise hopes t/hat a scheme is practicable, and that it cam be' started, unlike too many State schemes, on a good sound .fintuwaal foundation), as well as .pn^goodj moral foundation. It will, oe MrSeddon. says, encoiirage thrift, and if it, should in years- to come, , as there is every reason 1 to hope it may,, modify the basis of the old-age pension scheme so much the better. The old-age pension scheme, whatever may be said in ite favor, is weak in principle mi that ft doej snot and we suppose c&nino^i&tinguish between the deserving and .the, undeserving. A man may come well within all the, legal restrictions of the old-age pension and yet have Hved a life which gives him little claim on the charity of his feilowe, stail lesß on their approval, and if the old-age pension is to be (regarded as a mark of honor then the failure to distinguish between, merit and demerit is markedly a weakness. In time Mr Seddon's new scheme if successful would to a great extent remove this reproach. Every man, no matter how scanty his deceits, must of course be helped by the State in Jas time of .need, but it is beW-er for the individual aaid better fox' the State that a man 6fiould be encouraged; in> bis days of vigor and prosperity to make some sort of provision' for Ms old nge. It has been very well, said that it is- the first steps in the way of economy that are found hard to take, and if the State, can encourage (these first steps tfc wij] be doing ' good work. The days of compulsory insurance have not yet come, there is no sign ol them coming in any Anglo-Saxon community,, but a scheme.x'aloulated to encourage voJijjntpy eflfort is worthy of support and assistance. If the Premier can give a good start to such a departfuie few "wal be found to dispute, hie claim that it would be the crowning act of hie career.