THE PROBLEM OF OLD-AGE PENSIONS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR." J SIR,—I have read with interest the article on the above sukject which appeared in the Spectator of December 3-et,
1898. As this question is receiving so much attention at the present time, will you allow me to put before you and your readers the details of a Connexional old-age and sickness pro- vision scheme which a great religious community like the Primitive Methodists is bringing before its adherents? For some time an effort has been made to assist needy local preachers in their old age, and last year e778 was disbursed in this way. But it was felt that a much larger scheme was required to meet the necessities of the case, and hence the introduction of the Connexional Old-Age and Sickness Pro- vision Scheme. The objects, according to a circular issued, are to enable the Connexion by organised means to secure to aged workers in the Church the comforts of life when, from age and infirmity, they may be unable to provide for them- selves; and to enable the individual local preacher, official, or Sunday-school teacher to combine with his fellows for this object, and also to provide aid in sickness. In the Primitive Methodist denomination there are 16,617 local preachers, 10,418 class-leaders, and 61,000 Sunday-school teachers, from which it will be seen that there is a large constituency to work upon.
It is proposed that the Connexion shall raise a capital fund of £25,000, towards which Mr. W. P. Hartley, J.P., the Liverpool philanthropist, has generously promised £5,000, on condition that the remaining £20,000 is raised. This capital sum is required, firstly, to meet the present needs of aged brethren who, having laboured in many cases over fifty years, are now requiring and deserving assistance; and secondly, to guarantee the future stability of the funds. For small quar- terly payments sick allowance will be paid to contributors, and there will also be a special allowance in old age of from 8s. to 2s. 6d. per week. The amount of allowance will be governed by the necessity of each case and the state of the funds. The details of the scheme are now being considered by the officials throughout the Connexion, and outsiders will watch with keen interest the efforts of a working-class community like the Primitive Methodists, which number amongst its local preachers men like Mr. John Wilson, M.P., and Mr. Charles Fenwiek, M.P., to solve this old-age pensions problem for themselves.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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