LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
OLD-AGE PENSIONS AND THE LORDS.
pro TEE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:] SIB,-Sir William Chance's letter in your last issue on the subject of old-age pensions is a most opportune one, and his views must commend themselves to the growing number of electors who regard the Government Bill with the greatest alarm and profoundest disapprobation. As another Free- trade Unionist, I fervently trust that the House of Lords will throw out the Bill, and so give the country an opportunity of expressing its opinion on a scheme which will plunge us into an unknown and growing expenditure, and pauperise the non- contributory pensionaries. A dole of this nature is another form of Poor Law relief. It discourages thrift, it recognises no distinction between the worthy 'and unworthy, and it saddles the country with a huge financial burden. Modern social politics has resolved itself into a bid for the votes of the working man, and each party vies to go one better than the other. We saw that in the franchise, and now we see it in this measure. Both Unionists and Radicals have declared themselves in favour of some form of old-age pensions. The present Government have obtained the first chance, and in order to " dish " their opponents and secure the support of the Labour Members have ruled contributions out of their scheme. I have recently had returns given me of some of the earnings of the working classes in the metal districts of Swansea and Neath, and I find that many of the artisans there receive a a day and many of the women 25s. a week ; and it is to provide non-contributory pensions for such as these that this Bill is introduced. In its financial aspect the Bill is fraught with most serious consequences, especially at a time when the requirements of our Army and Navy ought to be our first thought, and when there is evidence that the revenue of the country for some time to come will be a diminishing quantity. Let us hope the House of Lords will step into the breach, and give the country an opportunity of deciding on what basis the measure shall be founded. The position of the Unionist Free-trader is becoming more and more difficult. My experience as chairman of Lord Hugh Cecil's Committee at the Greenwich election, when Mr. Chamberlain and other ex-Cabinet Ministers by their action and advice sacrificed the seat, and deprived the House of Commons of one of its most brilliant ornaments, renders it difficult to choose a course between the Scylla of Protection and the Charybdis of Socialism and Home-rule. No doubt a way out will be dis- covered, but at present the political outlook is far from promising, and to us Free-traders the trend of legislation on both sides appears to be full of peril which may easily lead to
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