“OUR OLD BULLS”

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 84, 24 September 1947, Page 8

“OUR OLD BULLS”

M.P.’s TO RETIRE AT 65 A proposal to retire elderly members of Parliament on pensions, so enabling the Labour Party to regain its virility and strength, is discussed in an article in the current issue of the official journal of the waterside wbrkers. It is apparent, the article states, that the age factor will have to be considered if the Labour Party is to maintain, or regain, its virility and strength. “It is evident,” the article continues, “that the crusador spirit which marked Labour’s rise to power has diminished as years of the party have increased. We had evidence of this at the last General Election'. Far from concentrating on the needs of the future, jaded Cabinet Ministers stumped the country talking in terms of past achievement. “When politicians look backward instead of forward, progress marks time. Glandular treatment is indicated. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately it is not possible to rejuvenate Elder Statesmen. “It is possible, however, to replace them. This is a thankless task, but 'it is one which selection committees will have to face in the interests of their party, and at no distant date.” The article submits that “the problem of the aged member of Parliament” would automatically solve itself if legislation provided for the compulsory retirement of politicians reaching the age of, say, 65 years at the date of a General Election. A superannuation scheme could be provided. Undoubtedly, the reluctance of selection committees to discard aged members in favour of younger men*was due to the absence of a scheme of the kind. From time to time, when eulogies of some departed member had been made in the House, continues the article, the stress and strain of public life had been called a contributing factor to the demise. “Such admissions,” the article states, “surely constitute a challenge to Parliament to put its own House in order, as it could easily do by passing legislation along the lines indicated. “The expression ‘Till death do us part,’ should have no application to Parliament.”