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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9063, 11 April 1908, Page 4

Time and again public attention has been called to the iniquity of the law which practically deprives-an old age pensioner of his life pension for a single lapse from the path, of sobriety. If a pensioner should succumb to a single glass of beer or grog—an: easy possibility with a septuagenarian. —and happen to fall into thehands oi' a policeman and. the cell of a lock-up, the consequences to him are terrible. A first-offending.' inebriate under ordinary circumstances is usually simply convicted and discharged; an old age pensioner who comes under the protection of the first of New Zealand's, humanitarian laws may upon a first charge of inebriety be mulcted in a penalty of £l3O, for thid beneficent statute requires a withdrawal of hispensiotr for a period of five years. With the pension, the probabilities are that such a man would not live more than that period; without it he would: probably succumb much sooner. Thus the law which is intended to provide for poor old men who have spent most of their lives in the dominion, also provides for what may prove to be a death sentence. At the least it means a fine imposed upon aged poverty of over £IOO. Could anything be more inhuman! This question of the harsh, treatment of pensioners is just now attracting much attention in Auckland, and at a muetingr of f .he Liberal, and Labour Federation in that city on Wednesday night, the Hon. W.. Beehan, M.L.C., "moved a resolution urging the Government to amend the Act so as to make it more merciful. After much discussion, during which Mr Beehan's views found general approval, it. was decided that the Old Age Pensions Act does not fulfil the functions for which it was. originally intended, and that the whole question of its weaknesses be referred to the Council of the Federation for consideration and report.. Every humane person will hope that tiie movement to remove a graveinjustice will meet with success..

I The Management Committee of the | Wairarapa Amateur Swimming Club is adopting a commendable course- i ; n deciding to establish life-saving classes in connection with the-Club. As, however, prevention is better than cure, we think the Park Committee of the Borough Council, which has control of the Park Lake, and *he Public Works Committee of the same bo3y, which is responsible for the management of the publiic swimming baths, ought to render first aid by erecting protective barriers around the lake and providing lifelines and life-buoys at both, acquatic resorts. Neglect to do this- leaves either committee in the first place, ancl the Borough Council in the ultimate, liable to seri«us moral consequences should a fatality occur. We drew attention to the absence of life-saving apparatus at fie lake on a recent occasion,, and it is to be hoped that no further intimation in regard to providing against accidents at either lake- or baths may be necessary. Under any circumstances, however, the committee of the Amateur Swimming Club will be doing good service by establishing lifesaving classes.

One of the Blackball strikers' delegate", addressing i meeting in the South Island the other day, urged that all Unionists should stand shoulder to shoulder, and supply funds in order that ths fight mighu bo carried on. Ha added that this was the only rreans of squeezing capital, and that by this means it would be possible to squeeze it right out. It does not appear to have struck the delegate or his audience, that thi3, to use the phrase of another labour orator, would be like "cutting off

one's head to get rid of a squint." In "squeezing capital out" the labourer must necessarily squeeze himself out, and then—what a big order the Charitable Aid Boards will have on hand! The want of a new Courthouse at Masterton, with at least two rooms suitable for Court sittings, was emphasised again on Thursday, the Magistrates' Court having to remove frcftn the main Courtroom to make way for the Arbitration Court. Magisterial business was then conducted in a lumber room at the back, usually requisitioned on such occasions, and mos 1 ; unsuitable for the purpose. Mr W. P. James, S.M., commented strongly on the condition of affairs, and ganerously placed his private office at the disposal of witnesses, who would otherwise have had to remain outside in the cold.