IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 121, 25 May 1903, Page 2

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

OLD AGE PENSIONS BILL.

SECOND READING.

Press Association. Electric Telegiaph, Copyright. Received May 21, 5 p.m.

London, May 23.

The Old Aged Pensioners Bill—proposing an age limit of 65, with a pension of 5s per week, provided partly from the rates and partly from the Treasury at an estimated cost of G-| millions— was read the second time.

Mr Chamberlain, referring to the history ot the movement, agreed that there was a possibility of doing something to stimulate thrift and help the making of provision for old age. The question was complicated. The obstacles were great, but not insuperable. It was not impossible to find the funds for that. No doubt there would have to be that review of the fiscal system he had indicated as necessary and desirable at an early date (cheers),

The' Hon. Mr Long admitted that the Bill was an improvement on previous ones, but more precise information was required. Commenting on Mr J. F. Remnant's Bill, Mr Long, recalling the demands for a remission of taxation, doubted whether a proposal necessitating a large expenditure would be acceptable to the nation. The only way to raise the money would bo to proceed with the revision of the fiscal system.

The Bill was referred to a Selec Committee.

Mr Chamberlain's remarks created a sensation in Westminster. They are interpreted to mean that he intends pushing the fiscal revision, believing that the workers will support duties on foreign products if the money is devoted to old age pensions.

Mr Long urged that the real difficulty was not the principle of pension? but the financial foundation, without which pension proposals were impracticable.