The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-07

SYDNEY. y. s. W. Nov. 2g-The ques-
tior of the establishment OF an cid age
pension system. similar 10 that now in
successful operation in New Zealand. has
been agiJaJiDg New South Wales for sew
eral months, and today the bill for that
purpose became a law. There has been
desire on the part Of some members Of the
Legislature to hold over the bill until the
converting Of the Federal Parliament IN
the hope that the measure wouId become
universal throughout the continent. but
the majority, including the Premier. wish
ed the bill TO be pushed through without
loss OF time. There is no opposition worth
mentioning. Sir William Lyme. the Pre-
mier, was no more heartily IL favor Of the
bill than e. H Reid formerly Premier
and now leader OF the opposition Mr.
Reid IN fact, started the agitation for The
measure put through by his successor and
political anita gonist- At a mass meeting
IN favor Of the bill representatives OF ev-
cry political party OF every church. and
Of every profession and trade in the com
munity were present The sentiment of
the colony has never been more Unani-
nous
The tendency OF all AustraIasian IegisIa-
ton has been, as the world is aware. to-
ward handing over TO the State many of
the duties which, in older communities.
public spirited citizens take upon them
selves. These innovations have worked SO
well that II was only natural to find the
people eager for old age pensions The
fundamental idea is. Of course. that a lie
time of work by man or woman OF good
character constitutes a fair claim on the
State for support in Old age- should L be
necessary, not is charity but rs payment
Of a debt incurred There are many asy-
lums. but even under careful MAJ cement
these cannot fail 10 be uncOngeniaI and
even cruel 20 the constituencies of age,
while the fact that the separation Of aged
couples IS often made necessary goes to
show how Inadequate IS the system.
Sir William Lyme makes a calculation
which goes to show that old 2 &c pensions
not only viii save the aged from the
shame of charity and the pain of sCp1ra-
ton from the old home. but VIII be an
actual saving TO the State The estimated
cost of the scheme is something like
( go Geo or G50G coo d year. but this does
uot take into consideration the amount
which viii be saved by doing away With
the charitable institutions now dru5Ei ,
the pockets alike of the State and Of the
individual Private contributions alone
amount 10 $500 COO Il year: all this VIII
be saved. together with & part of the Gov
ernmenLs annual expenditure bout
( 400 09G-for public institutions. Nos all
paUper institutions can be abolished. Ter
many Of the aged and friendless poor are
ailing or slightly feeble minded. and viii
continue TO need medical attention. The
few opponents Of the bill place the NUM-
Der of those who are physically or men
tally incapable of passing from institution
control at from one-Jhird to two-thiUds If
the entire number This is doubtless
slight rhetorical eXaggerauon. but. even
admitting it. the fact remains that. under
the new system. two or thre ethousands
OF deserving old folk viii be made infir-
itely happier than under present oondi-
tons To the average mind AMI heart no
stronger appeal could be made
Opponents Of the Bill objected TO IL on
The ground that il might mean additional
taxation Of s shilliU-s aci s pence head
per auuum Of every man. woman and