The Old Age Pensions Bill, 1897.

When the Bill was introduced again last year the subsection reappeared in its original form, but the House this time amended it in an opposite direction. The saving clause as to personal earnings was struck out, and everybody earning £1 a week or upwards was disqualified for a pension. The relief proposed by the Bill of 1896 was a modified charitable aid under not wholly pauperising conditions; the House then converted it into a genuine pension. The same relief was proposed by the Bill of 1897, and the House then converted it into a pauper's dole. I regret to see that this conversion is now accepted by the Government, and I propose to consider in detail the provisions of their measure in its latest form.