Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-01-26
OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Through the courtesy OF Hon. Fred
Illinois, we are In receipt OF the copy
of a resolution passed by Congress and
providing for the appointment of a
committee to investigate and deter
mine the various systems of old ago
insurance, old ago pension. and annu-
tiles that arc now In operation in tho
different countries of the world and the
practicability of establishing such sys-
TENS in the United States, Mr.. Lun-
din, who has given great deal of time
to tho study of the subject, is the au-
thor OF the resolution. In his letter
the gentleman gives some interesting
information concerning the develop
ment OF the old-ase pension system.
Germany. in 1899. adopted a law,
which was followed by later legislative
enactmcnts, establishing old-age PEN
sIons. Contributions to tho pension
fund Is. in many instances, con,pul-
sorry, and the amounts paid are gradu-
ated up to $3.50 a year, according TO
class and weekly premium paid In
Denmark. by law of 1891. all persons
over GO years of age are eligible to the
benefits conferred by the pension law.
New Zealand has most liberal old
age pension law. Sixty-flve years is
the pension age, and to all who can
show 25 years residence and a good
record, the government pays $3.50 a
week. Belgium adopted an Insurance
annuity and nationally sustained pen
sion act in 1900. 1t applies to Belgian
subjects by birth, naturalization OF
marriage. Annuities arc granted ac-
cording to age and amount OF premium
paid. Pensions are paid to all over
65 years of age under certain prescribed
conditions OF want and disability Italy,
France and Austria are operating sys-
tens of annulties and pensions. I'm
proved within recent years, and doubt
less will extend their plans In the near
future
Australia, probably, presents the best
example of growth and modcrnization
MES Of New South Wales, Victoria ana
Queensland have all operated under ad-
yanced systems since 1900 and 1901, and
on July /, 1909. this pension law will be
operative in all of Australia. The gen.
eral plan there Is about as follows:
Men over 65 and women over 60 are
pcnsionod at tho rate OF $3.50 and 81
a week respectively. Restrictions per-
tanning to income. residence and char
actcr surround the application of tho
law most effectively. Mr.. Lundin says
he is in receipt of letter from the
American consul at Newcastle. N S
w, under date OF March Is. 1909 In
which he says:
1T is the general opinion that these
pensions are a very good thing and
that these laws arc working out salts
factorily. Some 400 pensioners arc paid
at the Newcastle branch OF the Bank
OF New South Wales every month In
order 10 see for myself the people re-
ceivc their pensions. | was present the
first OF this month and saw a large
number of them paid They appeared
TO be most respectable lot of old pco-
pie and l feel certain the money al
lowed them each month by the govern
ment is 1udiclousiy expended"
England adopted an old-age pension
law in 1903. which became effective
Jan. l. 1909. Under it's provisions all
persons over 10 years Of age are pom
sIonablc II they meet the requirements
OF regulations as to Income, habits and
character. The amounts paid run from
25c to SLIPS weekly. Canada passed an
annuity law in 1908. Under It people