OLD AGE PENSIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6488, 7 April 1908, Page 8

OLD AGE PENSIONS

LECTURE BY MB REEVES. (From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, February 21. The Hon. W. P. Reeves lectured before tho Fabian Society last Friday evening on “Old Ago Pensions." Mr Sidney [\Vobb was in the chair, and Essex -trail, where tho meeting took place, was crowded to the doors. 'Mr Keeves began by observing that on the last occasion on which ho went to address tho Fabian Society the cabman, struck by his appearance, drove him to Exetor Hall. That was ten years ago, and Exeter Hall was now no more; but tho Fabian Society was still to the fore, and its members, he understood, wero as eager, enthusiastic, inquisitive, and unsentimental as ever. Mr Peeves proceeded to describe tho various old ago (pension systems in actual, operation in New Zealand and Australia. The experience of New Zealand, ho said, had proved.: (1) That financially an old age pension scheme is not impossible; it does not impose an intolerable burden on the taxpayer; tho Old Ago Pension Acts are more popular now than they were m their first year, (2) That fraud and imposture can be dealt with effectually. There Is nothing approaching the amount of fraud, relatively, to compare with the fraud produced in this city of London under a system of charity instead of pensions. (3) That discrimination in the granting of pensions is possible. When the New Zealand law was first introduced the cry for universal old age pensions was very strong indeed; but it w'ouid. bo impossible to get anything like half tho House to vote for a universal scheme now. He doubted whether S 3 per cent, of the members vrould support such a echoine. (4) That open inquiry into character is not impossible and not tyrannical, and that people are not afraid of it (5) That so far as national thrift and prosperity are concerned old age pensions have don© no harm at all. (6) That the pension scheme is doing solkl. visible good in relieving human ivvrd*hir> and brightening aged lives. That is the greatest argument for the continuance of tho system in New Zealand. ’