PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1378, 13 February 1905, Page 2

PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE.

OLD AGE PENSIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 12.24 p.m., Feb 12. Hobart, Feb 12. The conference decided that it is desirable that the States shonld themselves abandon differential and preferential rates, and thus save the expense of establishing an inter-State commission. Mr Reid introduced old age pensions. Sir George Turner explained that for a scheme estimated on the New South Wales basis £1,600,000 would be required, whileon the Victorian basis a million would hS needed. His idea was to adopt something between the two. He thought this would be done without lowering the amount paid in New South Wales, where the administration is very expensive. It was a question for the States which had no pensions whether they would recognise the inevitable and endeavour to effect an arrangement, or whether they would wait until the Commonwealth legislated over their heads. There was a risk that might be accompanied by a system of taxation that might be distasteful to some States. Most of the money required could be obtained from kerosene and tea duties. If the Federation took over the tobacco monopoly muoh money would be obtained from this soure. Tho debate was adjourned.