THE GOVERNMENT POLICY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXIV, Issue 247, 19 October 1900, Page 3

THE GOVERNMENT POLICY.

AN OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME, MELBOURNE, 'Ihis Day. Mr McLean, Premier, Bpiakiug at Bairnsdale, said ho proposed to reduce the qualification of electors for ihe Lip elatne Oouncillors to that of ratepayers on the roll. The eld age pension Kjheme piovided for the creation of a ptnuanent fund, the interest from which for Id years was expected to provide nil the funds required for the payment of 7/- weekly o all deserving people or- r 65 years of age. For every shilling a week of private means 6d a week was to come off die pension The conditiots generally were based o those in vogue in New Zealand. It was estimated thatprovision would have to b. made for 3500 persona at pre-so).t, and 8000 by the end of 15 j ears. Mr McLean proposed for the first four years to takr £25,000 annually out of the general revenue to meet fchi claims on the scheme, md also to prwviJe a system oi State insurance to encourage old persons to provide for old age, and to advance loans up to £300 on easy teims to those d sirous of building on thai'" o ffii holdings. A vigorous policy of miuing and agricultural development, including ciosei sottlement, and the appointment of courts of conciliation and arbitration, wore amongst other proposals.