New Zealand has had an old-age pension law for more than a quarter of a century, and everyone now seems to think it is a fine thing. Certainly there are no poorhouses here, as we know them, and the old-woman beggar is conspicuously absent.
According to New Zealanders, their country was the first in the world to pass a non-contributory old-age pension law. In fact, I find New Zealand claims to hold twelve “Firsts” in social legislation. After listening to the enthusiastic talk of the people, I have been surprised at what their country, situated in what we think of as the most remote corner of the globe, has to show. According to my notes, New Zealand was the first country to:
Provide non-contributory old-age pensions;
Introduce conciliation and arbitration of industrial disputes;
Establish universal penny postage;
Start government grading of butter, cheese, and hemp for export;
Go into the state insurance business;
Set up state maternity homes;
Open a government tourist department;
Give women parliamentary suffrage;