Friendly Societies and Pensions

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 57, 1 November 1892, Page 4

Friendly Societies and Pensions

The proposals that have been made for the 1 establishment of a State system of old-age pensions have naturally attracted the serious attention of the great friendly societies. They see in these proposals an insidious attack, not only upon their position and prosperty, but upon the very principles upon which tney are .^ founded and which they foster. It . j . g must be taken into, account in every j « discussion of pcn c ion schemes that ) « they, will encounter the strenuous « opposition of large and well-or^an- 4 ised bodies of men, who believe < themselves to have found in the « development of a spirit ot self-reliaUt ''* independence a tar more excellent « way of meeting an acknowledged evil. 'The' Oddfellows $ we observe, l practically admit that the want ot * provision for old age is a defect in their constitution, have elaborated « plans which are now coming on for discussion, by which it is hoped that ' a self-supporting pension fund may be established. Other friendly f societies may be expected to move ( in the same direction. Whatever else may happen, their efforts will be valuable experiments; which it would ( he wise to watch for an adequate ?1 period before committing the. country < ( to vast and somewhat dangerous ( undertakings. It will be said,' propably, that the friendly societiee cannor cover the ©pound. They certainly cannot provide, a ; pension j lor everyone who reaches the age of sixty-five^ if that be, what is meant by the objection. ,Bul, the. ,Btate cannot do this unless' a 'compulsory, system be estabiiiai-^cL; and this we hardly think that ahyorie has the temerity to advocate. The great friendly societies can run a voluntary pension system just, as well as the State. We do not expect any very striking measures of success, but where they fail the State will fail also. It may be possible to educate the people into desiring old-age pens'ons, but at present they are not in demand. Young men cannot be got to think seriously of what is to happen to them when, and if, they reach the age ot sixty-five; and those who can be induced to look so far ahead will easily and amply provide for themselves by means of existing facilities. But the smallnesa of the number who reach sixtyfive will always form a very serious obstacle to the particular provision ad vocated.by those who aim at oldage pensions* — London • Times.'