The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-23
A HAPPY OLD AGE.
About the Pension system of New
south wales.

Sydney N. S. W. Letter in Boston Trans
cript.
The long list of progressive experiments
! introduced into Australia within the past
decade has received a fitting addition In
the adoption Of the old-age pension bill.
With remarkable unanimity the Legislature
has passed the measure which has Tor some
months been before the public an imme-
date consideration, while for several years
x has held prominent position IN the cal
culation of sociologists. The introduction OF
this radical innovation. which upsets not
only system, but principle, means doubt
less che beginning OF similar legislation IN
other colonies. New South Waies1s now on
record as declaring that the care OF aged
men and women who are destitute OF means
| is not charity. but the payment of debt In
CURED by the state during the individuals
lifetime Of usefulness. The industrial con-
tribution of the men. the collaborating OF
the women. are not to be repaid by the cold
charity OF an almshouse which too fire.
Quently takes on the likeness OF a crime.
but are to be rewarded by the grateful state
by an honorable independence in the midst
OF friends.
The old age pension law provides for the
the age of sixty-fve by the payment of 10
shillings per week. the amount to be varied
slightly, one way or the other, as need may
arise. The necessary qualification Is a resi-
dence of twenty-five years In the coiony,
without two years absence. 4 residence OK
ten years in another colony will be counted
This clause has received general praise as
indicating TO the other colonies that the
way is open TO them TO make similar pro-
vision for their own poor returning the
compliment of New South Wales. The pro-
posed sum, 10 shillings, Is rather more gem
| erouS than that given Dy New Ledlanu.
| Seven shillings is the sum decided on In the
| sister island, but. doubtless, the cost OK
| living goes far toward making UP the DIFF
| ference. Ten shillings in New South Wales
| is generous, and shows how eagerly the
| people welcomed the change, which, as they
believe. is bound greatly TO benefit unfortu-
| nate old age.
A few men opposed the bill on the ground
| of its expense. They claim that an in
| creased burden Of taxation will have 10 be
| borne by the people TO support the new
system. Certainly the pension scheme Will
be more expensive than the old plan OK
| institutions. This is not denied. On the
| other hand, the scheme will naturally re-
| Heve the public of part of the burden OK
| charity which, while carried willingly, u
| YET large enough to be oppressive. Also,
there will be decided reduction IN the
| amount the State spends annually on the
public institutions. Without counting in
! this reduction, the sum needed 10 finance
| the old age pensions scheme is estimated
| at about yearly. fIO-l lHlS sum
| deduct large portion of the G6OO,OOO an
nually given in charity by private indi-
viduals; then further deduct the smaller
| sayin,, Of the government expenditure on
pauper institutions as at present estab-
iished. and it Will be seen that the scheme
| is not really so expensive as IL at nrst
seems. 1t is merely a question or whlcn
| shall tax. the unfortunate old folk whose
| undeserved suffering loosens the purse
strings of the well-to-do, or the state
which claims these aged poor as its bene-
| factors and creditors. This spirit OF patron
age may prefer the former system, but
| justice has cried loudly for the second and
| has won her case in New South Wales.
Not all pauper institutions can be aool-
i i by the new DILL bene the by the pen
| sions OF the colony's 1000 paupers many
are mentally or physically ailing TO such
an extent as to require the care OF trained
nurses These are far better off In institu-
| tions. Of course On the other hand. the
pension scheme Will very likely remove the
| cause of much OF the feeDleness in mird
and body. Work, UP to certain limit: may
be benefit to the human animal, but car
ried too far brings inevitable collapse. The
average individual, whose lines have fallen
| in not too thorny places, should be able 10
work and win a fair proportion or daily
| bread up to the age OF sixty-five without
| injury to body or brain. At that period,
| should II become necessary, work may be
laid aside and the remaining years spent In
peace and the chimney corner. Much ofs
| the feebleness TO be found in pauper In
| stitutions comes. OF course. from cruel
prolongation OF the struggle for existence,
| from work pursued when the tired old
frame cried out for rest because OF that
Unborn dread of charity which is the birth
right Of the self-respecting poor. SO, in
! the course OF few years the old age PEN
| sion scheme should do away with pauper
| institutions TO an extent which viii be at
first impossible.
| The most remarkable feature OF the fight
| for the bill has been the comprehensive
| character of its friends. The premier, Sir
| William Lyme. and the leader OF the OPP
! position, Mr.. George III. Reid, the Labor
| party and the Conservatives, the Church
/ of Rome and the Salvation Army have been
| strongly on the side OF the bill All differ
| ences were forgotten and the lion and the
| lamb lay down together. In fact, one OF
| the chief reasons for opposing the bin has
| been. not disappr0val or its provisions, but
| a desire to have the federal Parliament
deal with the question in the hope that the
measure might become general throughout
| Australia But New South Wales wished
| to lead the way, not for her own glory.
| but because she can bear well enough the
| burden of a little experimenting. She has
made the road an easy one for others to
| follow, and there IS little doubt that the
sister colonies will soon accept her invita-
| ton.