King Country Chronicle Saturday, October 29, 1910. TOPICS OF THE DAY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 307, 29 October 1910, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Saturday, October 29, 1910. TOPICS OF THE DAY.

The re-organisation of the Volunteer Fire Brigade at the meeting on Monday night, under the control of the Borough Council, was a necessary step J in the process oC safe-guarding the \ lives and property of residents in the Borough, and as was made clear at the meeting, once the loan proposals are carried, the Borough Council will do all in its power to make the brigade efficient and effective. One difficulty to settle is the question of a suitable site for the lire s-tation. The borough may have one or two reserves later on, but, these, unfortunately, will be too far away from the main streets of the town, where the greatest danger, and consequently greatest possible loss lies. The suggestion that a portion of the reclaimed river bend at the south end of Rora. street be taken seems to meet the situation more nearly than any other proposal. But this work cannot be done at once, and meanwhile, some other place must be found. Probably one of the river reserves will meet the immediate needs of the situation. The brigade deserves the encouragement of all citizens who regard the protection of life and property as one of the principal aims of any civilised community.

♦♦♦♦ The National Annuities Bill now before Parliament is one of the greatest attempts to provide for the average 4 man, his wife and his children that a democratic .State has ever attempted to place on the Statute Hook*. It helps the working man and this means anyone earning less than £2OO a year—by providing a means by which he may make small weekly payments and secure an annuity at the age of (it) of a sum varying from ten shillings to two pounds a week. If the man dies his widow and children get an allowance and if he is entirely incapacitated a similar concession is granted. It does not debar him from the old age pension, if he is also eligible and it encourages, instead of penalising, thrift. Nor does it interfere in any way with the work of the friendly societies, which aim rather at the assistance of their members during illness and of the wife at the death of her husband than at the provision of pensions and allowances to survivors. The Government comes in for considerable criticism in regard to tome aspects of its policy, but all democrats: all who realise that for tho vast majority in the Dominion there is no margin for saving large sums: will approve and endorse this benilicicut nxasure, which boldly attacks a f social problem in a manner calculated to practically banish poverty in old age for all who make.cven (he least attempt to provide for a rainy day.