CREMATION, OLD-AGE PENSIONS, AND DEMOCRACY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13077, 13 September 1904, Page 6

CREMATION, OLD-AGE PENSIONS, AND DEMOCRACY.

TO THE EMTOI!. Sin,—lE you will give mo space to say a .{ow words, on tho abovo subjects you will bo conferring a favour on a- reader of your paper sinco it started. I felt much obliged to you for publishing what tho English Bishop said about cremation.

Sir, if you wero to give your own powerful aid, oven though you did not •agree, it would call public attention to the matter, and possibly wo might get a crematorium in Duncdin, whore many of, my friends havo passed over tho border' ■since- I last had the honour of writing to you on tlio subject. I would liko you to give an extract. A comniittec of physicians appointed by tho American Medical Association report-id:— "We ■ believe tho horrid practico of earth burial does more to propagate tho germs of (Jisease and death and to spread desolation and pestilence over tho human raeo than do all man's ingenuity and ignoranco in every other custom or habit. The fatal illusion that the earth vendors harmless and innocuous tho eorpso must bo dispelled." I would like to see old-age pensions universal for all that havo reached the proper age (65). Comparatively few would bo entitled to it, and, besidos, if tho pensions wero universal for those of tho required age, it would not bo looked upon as it is nov,- eharity. The really downright hardups will not apply, and others commit perjury and other sins to got it. If made universal it. would bo worked cheaper and do away with an army of investigators, etc., and prevent fc-r a while tho new religion starting—tho worship of dcmocraay,—for without religion aristocracy does not exist-.— I am. etc., Johx P. AIiMSTItOXC Palmerston South, September 12.