27 FEBRUARY 1864, Page 2

Mr. Gladstone's Bill for granting deferred annuities to the poor

is, it appears, to be resisted. The working men conspicuous in the management of trades-unions appear to imagine that it will affect taking care of their Consols. Their real objection is a more serious one ; but they are wrong. The scheme will increase the prosperity alike of unions and societies, for it will enable them to devote themselves to allowances for the sick without being hampered by the management of a pension list, and ways may easily be found for making them the largest purchasers of the deferred annuities on behalf of their own subscribers.