OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 228, 27 September 1898, Page 2

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

SOME PROGRESS MADE IN COM-

MITTEE

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Monday.

The House resumed at 7.30 this evening in Committee on the Old Age Pensions Bill.

Captain Russell contended that the sitting was not a continuation of that of Friday, and proceedings should have commenced with the Speaker in the chair. After 'some considerable discussion progress was reported and the ruling of the Speaker taken. He held that the sitting was a continuous one, and that the forms of procedure had beeen complied with. The House then resolved itself again into Committee, and the Chairman having resumed the chair said the question before the Committee was j that sxibclause 2 of clause 8 as amendied stand part of the question. \ Captain Russell explained the attitude of the Opposition towards the Bill; whilst they claimed the right to criticise it closely they had no desire to block the passage of the measure; but it was no use asking them to conj thine the sittings in unreasonable hours. If reasonable hours were kept the Opposition would assist the Government to make the Bill as perfect as possible. The Premier said while he recognised the right of the Opposition to ! criticise the details of the Bill he ob- : jected to their making second readings I speeches. j The Committee then proceeded to ! business. Subclause 2, clause 8, was agreed to |on the voices. I Subclause 3, tthat during the period j of- ten years immediately preceding ! such date he has not been imprisoned ! for four months, or on four occasions I for«ny offence punishable by imprison- | ment for twelve months or upwards, ! and dishonouring him in the public estimation,' was then discussed. On the motion of Mr Buchanan the period of ten years was increased to twelve by 39 votes to 16. I Mr Montgomery moved to insert afi ter the'words 'or upwards,' 'or during j any period of his residence in the colj ony for a term of five years with ov without hard labour.' Mr Montgomery moved to strike out the words 'or ion four occasions.' i The motion was lost by 29 to 25. Mr Moore moved an amendment | which would have the effect of disj qualifying from a claim to a pension any person who, during a period of 25 yours immediately preceding his application, has been imprisoned for a | term of five years, with or without ; hard labour. This was agreed to. Subsection 3 was passed as amended, ' and the Committee adjotirned for re-1 i freshments until 11 o'clock. j The Committee resumed at eleven ; o'clock on subsection -I, clause 8, which was amended to read as follows: -'That during the period of ten years immediately preceding such date the claimant has not nt any time for a period of six months, if a hus- ; band, deserted his wife, or without [just cause failed to provide her with !adequate means of maintenance, or j neglected to maintain such of his I children as were under the age of 14 !years: or if a wife, deserted her husband or such of her children as were i under that age, provided that if the j pension certificate is issued the penj sioners right thereunder shall not be I affected by any disqualification coni tnincd in, this subsection, unless the I fact of such disqualification be established at any time to the satisfaction of stipendiary magistrates.' As soon as subclause 5 was reached Mr O'Kegan took exception to its ■ stringency, and moved to delete the ! words 'of g-ood moral character.' Ca.pt. Russell protested, as if a man were living an open adulterous life, ; that would be good reason why he i should not be given a pension. The amendment Avas rejected by 45 to 10. Capt. Russell moved to insert the j words 'and has for five years immediaI tely preceding such date been,' which was agreed to. The subclause as amended reads 'that he is of good moral character, and is and has for five years immediately preceding such date been leading a sober and reputable life.' Objection was taken by Mr Sligo to the amendment of yearly income (£52) provided by subsection 6, and I he moved to insert £26 in lieu thereof, I He contended that they had no rightto make invidious distinctions as between the various classes of the community. On being put to the voje Mr Sligo's amendment, was lost by 31 to 2G, and subclause G was passed as printed. At subclause 7, which --read 'that the net capital of his accumulated propei'ty does not amount to five hundred and forty pounds or upwards, computed and assessed as hereinafter provided," the Premier said that with a view to facilitate the progress of the Bill he proposed to reduce the accumulated property by one half, and make the amount £270. That, he thought, would prove acceptable to the majority of members. If this subclause were passed he would agree to adjourn. Eventually it was agreed to strike out the word five of 'five hundred and forty,' which meant that the amount would be reduced. Progress was then reported and the House rose at 1.20.