BRITISH POLITICS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9174, 18 June 1908, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

, in OLD AGE PENSIONS. United Press Association.— By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright. London, June 17. ' In the House of Commons, Mr Cox’s amendment to the Pensions ■Bill was negatived hy 417 to 29. The Bill was then read a second time. Mr Walter Long regretted that 'Closuring had been resorted to inasmuch as the Bill was the most important measure in social reform introduced since 1884. The best solu- f tion would be the combination of the Government scheme with contri--T)utory pensions. In Germany a labourer contributed to his pension. "Why could not » Britisher do the ■same’ He added that the Government could consult Friendly Societies. Mr Thos. Burt warmly supported . the Government. Mr Balfour sympathised with Mr Lloyd George as the embarrassed stepfather of the Bill. He complained that the Government was dealing in a fragmentary wqy with -a small part of a large question, namely the whole field of the assistance of the poor. Mr Balfour did not vote on the .second reading of the Pensions Bill. Received June 18, 8.6 a.m. London, June 17. In the course of the debate on Old Age Pensions, Mr Asquith contended that the under the free trade system"wonld be equal to the financial demands of the Bill. The C irman system was impossible in L .gland, because it was based on / and compulsion. Mr Asquith added “we cannot brigade Britain's industry.” Government’s scheme was provisional and did not tie the hands of Parliament- for the