OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Waikato Argus, Volume III, Issue 226, 23 December 1897, Page 4

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In further consideration of the proposed scheme for providing an old age pension, I notice in the debate upon the question a good deal has been said in regard to its application to the drunkard, many urging that this uofoitnuate class should be debarred from claiming the pension becau-e of their dissolute habits and lack of thrift. To my mind this class has the strongest c'a'in upon our consideration. Have they not, by the very fact of their unfortunate propensity, contributed more to the revenue than the sober section ? In working out the details of the Scheme, I quite roeog nise the necessity of providing against abuse—putting it beyond the power of these unfortunates to waste their tubstance. Homes or institutions should be established where these and other fit subjects could be cared for and placed under certain restrictions. At these establishments light employment could be found, such as the raising of fruit and vegetables, which could go to supply other charitable institu'ions, and as an encouragement to the industrious and as a punishment to loafers, a more generous scale of diet and other concessions or the reverse should form an important feature in the management. Let the motto " H 3 that will not work neither shall he eat," be the basis upon which these establishments shall be run. It will be urged (as in the case of prisonmade furniture, etc.,) that the products from these institutions would come into competition with legitimate trade. Allowing that it does, even to the extent of e'esing up a market garden or two, the general taxpayer would benefit in the cheaper goods and these institutions would to some extent be self-suppoiting.—l am, etc., Bartholomew.