PARLIAMENT.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 75, 26 September 1898, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

THE OLD AGE PENSIONS BILL. NO PROGRESS MADE. In committee on Saturday afternoon the debate on sub-clause 2 of clause 8 of the Old Age Pensions Bill was continued amidst yawniugs, stretchings, and general discontent. Mr. Eraser said there had been no attempt to discuss the Bill since 6 a.m. The Opposition had simply been entering a protest against an oppressive action on the part of the Government. If it came to a question of endurance the Opposition had plenty of that, though it was not the spirit in which they approached the subject. The debate dragged ou during the afternoon, the monotony being once relieved by a division on a motion by Mr. G. Hutchison, tf That the member for Christchurch be heard." This was given rise to by two members getting on their feet at once, and the motion was defeated on division by 34 to 19. Following this Mr. Bollard (who had risen at the same time as the member for Cbristchurch and by the division secured first right to address the chair) spoke, contending that the Bill simply meant an extension of charitable aid. Mr. jDuthie, who had left the House at 5 a.m.-, said he was surprised to return that afternoon and find that no progress had been made. It seemed hopeless to expect any adjustment in the face of the attitude of the Government. The Bill was so iar-reaohing, so crude and ill thought out, that the Premier ought to assist them in amending it. At 3 o'clock, Mr. T. E. Taylor, whilst agreeing with the principle fought for by the Opposition, urged that if a compromise was not possible now it said very little for the credit of the House. He felt quite certain that the judgment of the country would demand some better mode of settling legislation thau this. He thought such proceedings would hasten the Elective Executive. If he were the Premier he would now either force the Bill or resign — it seemed to have come to that pass. Captain Russell said he had come to the conclusion that there was no alternative but to light the. question out. He asserted that it was improper to force an exhausted House to pass such far-reaohiug and important measures, and that was the principle the Opposition was fighting for. The Premier asserted that the Bill was before the House in a constitutional manner, and it would be unconstitutional if he surrendered it simply because the Opposition did not like the Bill. At 3.30 p.m. Mr. Joyce took the chair, Captain Russell formally protesting that the leave of the House had not been first obtained. The Premier said he was prepared to eat, drink, and sleep at "this table" (indicating the table before him) rather than submit to a minority and allow it to say what should be the business hours of the House. Mr. Rolleston argued that the unsatisfactory position was due to the Premier's want of judgment in determining to force his own Bill through in his own way over the heads of the Opposition. At 5.30 p.m. Mr. Guinness, whp had just taken the chair, said he would vacate till 7.30 p.m. Mr. Brown continued the debate at 7.30 o'clock, urging that progress be reported. Members, he said, were weary and wanted rest. Mr. Fraser argued that' the Opposition differed as much with one another upon clauses of the Old Age Pensions Bill as they did with the Government. It had been said that the Opposition was fighting against the Bill upon this occasion. That was not true. What the Opposition was fighting against was the Premier, who was trying to force through at unreasonable hours important clauses— clauses, he contended, that required very careful consideration. Mr. Carncross said he was opposed to the Bill, bub accepted the decision of the niaiority, and the Opposition ought to do the same. Mr. Monk said the last speaker did not understand what he was talking about. The majority of the members in the House were not sent by their constituents to vote for the Old Age Pensions Bill, because it had never been before the country. They were only doing what they were told by the Premier when they voted for the Bill. He challenged the Premier to go to the country on the Bill. Mr. Taylor thought the Premier had a warm corner in his heart for the Left Wing over their attitude on this Bill. (A voice — "A corner with sulphur in it.") It seemed to him that members were only just beginning to grasp the meaning of the Bill. Mr. Lewis pointed out that the Government supporters only came in in relays, and it was therefore necessary for the Opposition to repeat their statements as the relays appeared. He denied the charge of wasting time. The colony had no claim ou hou. members on Saturdays. Mr. Wsison denied that the Opposition was blocking the Bill. He considered the measure an unworkable one. Mr. S'.'Uith said he had hoped that the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition would have come back at 7.30 with some compromise to submit to the House. He urged a compromise. Mr. Massey, speaking at 8.15, called attention to the weary condition of members ; that fact alone he considered should induce all to vote for the motion to report progress. The Opposition, he contended, were fighting against the tyranny and despotism of the Premier. As far as he was concerned he was prepared to stay in the House a month if necessary, rather than give way where there was such an important principle at slake. Mr. Mills spoke of the unreasonableness of the Oppositionists, and of the time they were wasting. Mr. Lang, following, charged the last speaker with stonewalling. Captain Russell complained that the criticism of the Opposition was never listened to by the Government. The speeches of the Opposition, he said, were delivered to empty benches. The debate was continued in this style till a few minutes before midnight, Government members occasionally going in and charging the Opposition with wanting to kill the Bill. The Chairman then left the chair till 7.30 o'clock on Monday, the sitting having lasted 31i hours.

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