100 YEARS AGO

Prof. H. H. Turner, Savilian professor of astronomy in the University of Oxford, contributes to the Fortnightly Review for April a reply to Dr. Wallace's article on “Man's Place in the Universe” which was published in the same review last month. Dr. Wallace suggested that the universe is limited in extent; that it has a definite centre at which the solar system is, and has been situated for millions of years; and that by reason of its position the earth has had an opportunity to develop humanity, and probably this opportunity has been nowhere else in the universe. Prof. Turner shows that the limitation in the universe is not proved; that there is no true centre of the universe, even if limited, and even if there were the solar system could not occupy it for long, on account of the sun's proper motion; he also shows that there is no reason whatever why life should not be developed in any part of the interior of even a limited universe.

From Nature 9 April 1903.

50 YEARS AGO

It is now widely recognized that, in a society with an ageing population, it is desirable and even essential that the elderly should remain longer at work... the first and most essential step, Mr. Hopkins argues, is to eliminate from the national insurance system the commitment to provide a retirement pension at a definite age laid down years, or even decades, in advance. Mr. Hopkins recognizes that the presentation of the scheme to the public in the past has been such as to cause false impressions and to create expectations which may lead to resentment when government is compelled, as he believes is inevitable, to raise the pension age. Nevertheless, he believes it is necessary that the principle should be publicly established that the age at which retirement pension may be claimed is variable, and will probably be raised as time goes on. As he admits, a government which made such an announcement would obtain no immediate credit, and would probably incur some immediate odium. It would, however, earn the gratitude of its successors by establishing the conditions in which pension arrangements could eventually be adjusted to changes in the demographic and economic circumstances of the country. No political economic party has, however, yet given any signs of the courage demanded in taking such a step.

From Nature 11 April 1953.