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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 75

Mr Chamberlain's Scheme

Mr Chamberlain's Scheme.

Another contributory scheme is that associated with the name of Mr Chamberlain. In its final form this provides that every man who pays £5 to the pension fund before reaching the age of twenty-five has £15 more placed to his credit by the State, and by continuing to pay £1 a year till he is sixty-five becomes entitled at that age to a pension of 5s a week. In the event of his dying before sixty-five, benefits are secured for his widow and children, or if he leaves none, his £5 is returned to his representatives. Mr Chamberlain's proposals have undergone changes from time to time, but they have always been based upon voluntary contributions, the State merely stimulating individual providence by its bonus. It is to be feared that this scheme, if enacted, would have very little practical effect, and absolutely none upon the class of cases which first attracted Canon Blackley's attention, and constitute the real crux of the problem. A writer in the 'National Review,' 1892, very pertinently asks:—

If under the admirable arrangements provided by the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows only two members out of 673,073 have availed themselves of their superannuation scheme, is it reasonable to assume that a bribe of £15 (which would not be paid down to the member) would induce any considerable number of them to do so?

And the argument applies a fortiori to those not provident enough to join any friendly society, who are the main cause of the rouble.