PENSIONING

Oxford Observer, Volume V, Issue V, 21 April 1894, Page 3

PENSIONING

The question of pensioning aged persons is one, which will probably soon come within the range of practical politics. In these days of ours the people are becoming so well educated and take .such an intelligent interest, in matters of Social reform that it is hard to predict what phelanthropical and social laws may be passed within ten years from now. Six years ago the man who confidently predicted, the enfranchisement of women, would have been looked upon as, well' a very enthusiastic personage! not to say fanatic or bigot! but women have received at the hands of the legislature a tardy justice, they have voted at the general election, and the licensing election, and still the world goes ,yery much, as it went before. " ■•'-_•' In discussing the Old Age pension scheme, it is as well to ask ourselves first, whom will it benefit and is it practicable. In response to the first question! there is not the slightest doubt that* if you take, from the ranks of workers in New- Zealand 14000 odd

persons a certain amount of congestion must, be removed, 14000, is about the number of persons over the age of. 65 years and it is doubtful if it would 1 be prudent at any rate for some time to attempt to pension persons under that age. Tnen again the mass of the toilers would' benefit by having the capability to labour, consistently, brought within a narrower focus, and thereby a more unifbriri'* fate M- wages paid, who has not heard the psuedo philanthropist, excuse the, payment of low wages, on the plea of charity," I dont pay the old man much, but then you see he does my work as well as another, "that is the sort of excuse for paying a low wage heard daily. Secondly is it practicable? most certainly it is if the people will it, and " considering the benefits which would result" at a very small cost; Space well not permit the giving of figures and facts necessary jn^ formulating a scheme but this remark may be shown. Very large numbers of the working classes are members of Friendly Societies, a/nd.on a. rough average pay 1/1 per week for the benefits which they receive. It is questionable if they miss the amount very much,, or if they had not to pay it "every quarter that it would be banked or otherwise saved. ' Now by the wage 'earners, in New Zealand submitting ; to- a direct tax of 2d in the pound which should also be subsidised by employers to the same" extent' a slim of "money would be at once available forbid age^- pension, and 4d in the pound, would raise nearly enough money to give the 14000 persons, men. or women, .a ,weekly,pension of 10/ each, but the tax must be a compulsory one and could be raised by^ the issuing wages cheques and wages receipt stamps and forms, making it 'compulsory on every employer to pay "in these "state i cheques and to receive a cancelled receipt form for every~pouhd "paid in wages. Some persons/ and- those" ! of -"Conservative tenders may say such a system of paymentt is>arbet£W : and infringes liberty of 'man,' but it is mbr'S arbeirary than the present system of

Bank Notes, or cheque payment £ not a bit of itl When human nature alters considerably from the present egoistic groove in which it runs a voluntary payment might be possible but could such a scheme be based on voluntary payments. Is the altrustic spirit to wide spread, that every worker would voluntarily pay into a bank or other specified place. 2d for every pound received. No we know it is impossible, and therefore if the aspirations of the true liberal party are to become accomplished facts, the State must act a Collector and disburser of. a national pension fund. Then again we doubt some employers will "object to being taxed on every pound paid away, but let them consider that in trade as in every other occupation there is no final stability. The workman to -day " " is the employer tomorrow. The employer 1 often sinks through adverse circumstances into the ranks of the workers and would then benefit, besides many employers would at once benefit from this scheme for it includes all aged persons rich and poor, and when persons pay for a benefit there is no repugnance in. accepting it. It is not charity it" is' a right and whether or no it. will become an accomplished fact within a few years. New Zealand is leading the "World in many reforms let us not be behind in this one already in . England it is the topic, and witlj.the power of a thriving democracy like ours behind the government it would be shameful to let Aristocratic and .Plutocratic England lead the van.