OLD-AGE PENSIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 10483, 22 October 1894, Page 3

OLD-AGE PENSIONS.

An open-air meeting, under tho auspices of the Canterbury Progressive Liberal Association, was hold in Cathedral Square on Saturday evening to consider the subject of old-age pensions. There was a good attendance, and the proceedings were opened by Mr Vi, I. Ballinger, President of the Association, who called on tho Eov J. O'Bryan Hoaia to move the first resolution. The Rev J. O’Bryoti Hoar) said that he had been asked to move—“ That this meeting condemns the actifin of. the Government in not having introduced during the present session a scheme of old-age pensions.” He had not, he!said, seen the motion before ho had been asked to move it, and he thought that tht Government ought not to be condemned over a matter of such difficulty. Any scheme of old-age pensions, he considered, siould rest on justice, and not on charity kid patronage. Ho would alter the motion so as to read: — “ That this meeting regrets that the Government had not the courag) to introduce during the present session a tcheme of oldage pensions.” , j Mr H. L. Rogers seconded the motion. He said that any extension oi the present charitable aid system, with its highly-paid officials, would ba objectionable. Ha criticised Messrs Hutchison, and Buddo's report to tho House on tho subject of oldso’O pensions, and advocated raising funds for the purpose by a stamp duty of 2d in the £ on wages cheques, supplemented by death duties and an income lax. The motion was carried manimously. Mr T. E. Taylor mo vac.—“ That this meeting strongly urges upai the Cabinet the necessity of making provision for our aged colonists by taking such action during the recess as will oesuto tho placing upon the Statute; Book such a measure next session.” He: advocated the cost of the scheme beingdeiiayedout of the consolidated revenue, .and referred to the succesasful working of a system of old-aga pensions in Denmark. Ho remarked that he was glad that New Zealand was looked upon as a field for experiments, as there were many reforms to come in the next ten years. Mr J. A. Ffrosfe seconded tho motion, which was earned unanimously. Mr Ballinger thanked those present for their attendance, and said that the action of Mr W. W. Collins in she House iu reference to old-age pensioat should have tho support of everybody.