The Feilding Star, KIWITEA & OROUA COUNTIES GAZETTE. Published Daily. FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1897. OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 2, 2 July 1897, Page 2

The Feilding Star, KIWITEA & OROUA COUNTIES GAZETTE. Published Daily. FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1897. OLD AGE PENSIONS.

As a great number of claims have been sent in from residents in this neighbourhood, and tbe subject of old age pensions may be expected to occupy a considerable amount of the attention ot Parliament next session, the main lines of a similar Pension Bill recently introduced into tbe Imperial Parliament will be of some interest, alike to those who expect to profit by the system if it becomes law in New Zealand, and by those who will have to find the necessary funds The age limit in the British Bill, sixty five years, is the same as in the New Zealand scheme, but at that point resemblance to a large extent ceases. The New Zealand Bill, as aujpnded — and dropped — proposed to make the payment of tbe pension of 108 a week general in the colony, without distinction aa to the recipients' means, but with restrictions as to the Dumber of years of continuous residence here. The '. nglish measure makes no allowance to persons having incomes of 10s a week or over, and the aim seems to be to level up every recipients' weekly income to that amount. Thus, persons earning 5a a week, wiii receive a pension of a similar sum, and a sliding scale of gradually dioiiniahiin; pensions, will give a person with 6s a week a pension of 4s and one with 8s a week a 2s pension. All recipients must be British subjects >>orn in England, and having resided in the same county or borough for three years previously to applying. Certain conditions of people a™ ape i-iliy disqualified from receiving State aid, among them being persons born out of England, except children of State ser van's, such as soldiers and sailors; aliens, wheth m n r alisea or not; thot-e who at varying periods prior to making application have been guilty of various kinds of misconduct : and persons who, since the age of twentyone, have received parochial relief, except medical relief, or that necessitated by physical or mental disability There are also provisions for suspending the pension for different periods if the recipient is convicted or punished for crime or drunkenness, or has wilfully made incorrect statements when seeking aid from tbe State. 'he County Council, by special Committees, will adjudicate upon claims and will make tbe payments, the requisite funds being raised by a county rate which will make tbe payments, the requisite fund being raised by a county rate which will be paid by the owners and occupiers of the lands rated, in equal division There wan one other point of resemblance between the New Zealand scheme and the British Bill, which we had overlooked ; that ia, that women, whether married or single, will be entitled to tend iji claims for a pension, but as our readers who are cognisant of the local Bill will see the two measures have litt'e in common except their luAiu object.