The "Socialism" of New Zealand; By Robert H. Hutchinson

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI SOCIAL LEGISLATION AND LABOR CONDITIONS 1. Old Age Pens1ons THE problems presented by the aged are of comparatively recent date. Formerly those who survived after the ages of 60 or 70 were either still capable of earning their own living, or if sick or infirm, were maintained by their children or relatives. With the advent of modern industrial machinery, the worker nowadays, overstrained daily by the high pace required, and fatigued by the monotonous specialty of the work demanded, finds himself or herself often at the age of 65 or 70 on the list of the incapacitated. The employer in New Zealand, compelled by the Arbitration Court of Awards to give higher wages and shorter hours to his workmen, is obliged for economy's sake to procure the most efficient labor possible, the older worker, lacking the energy and alertness of his younger competitor, finds himself thus forced to join the unemployed. Moreover, through the acquirement of greater medical knowledge, those who formerly would have been stricken down by industrial diseases, accidents, and severe illnesses may now survive only to emerge unable to support themselves. Previously, to a much larger extent than now, these latter were maintained by their relatives; but families are becoming more scattered under changed conditions, and with increased rents and prices, are less able to sustain the aged. It will, however, be seen that without the condition of comparative poverty, which precludes the possibility of laying aside savings for just such contingencies, these facts would cause no difficulties. But such poverty was found to be present in New Zealand, though to a lesser extent than in the older countries. Uncertainties of pioneer life, rapid alteration between times of prosperity and depress...