THE OLD AGE PENSIONS BILL.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 79, 30 September 1898, Page 2

THE OLD AGE PENSIONS BILL.

A BIG NIGHT'S WORK IN THE HOUSE. Consideration of this Bill was resumed in the House of Representatives at 7.80 last evening ut olalise 13, setting out the general rules lor computing income. After considerable discussion, sub-olause 1, dealing with income from accumulated property, was passed by 41 votes to 18. At sub-clause 2, providing that when, in addition to perbonal earnings, a person receives board and lodging, the reasonable cost of such board and lodging, not exceeding £26 a year, shall be included in the computation of the year's income. Mr. Rolleston suggested that the subclause should be struck out, as being a blot on a Bill already full of blots. Mr. Buchanan protested against this, contending that board aud lodging should be included in the computation of income where such board and lodging was given for services renderted. He moved to amend the clause to this effeot. This was debated at great length, and eventually Mr. Buchanan's amendment was accepted with the exception of the words " for services rendered." The effect of the amendment was to make the meaning of the i clause more clear. The Premier moved to strike out subclause 4, which provides that income accruing but not actually received during tho year shall be deemed to be apportioned, and to be received month by month during the" year. This was agreed to, and the clause parsed. At clause 14, making the payment of the pensions monthlj', Mr. Herries moved to make it weekly, pointiug out that many persons would draw their pensions at the end of the month, spend the money in a few days, and either starve or live on charity until next pension day. The Premier suggested fortnightly payments. Objection was raised to the weekly payment on the ground that the amounts paid to some pensioners who have a little property or a small income would be ridiculously small. To overcome this difficulty Mr. Smith moved that pensions amounting to £12 and over should be paid weekly, all below that amount monthly. This was lost by 34 votes to 19. Captain Russell urged that the clause should he passed, and the Premier 1 could later on perhaps suggest some means of getting over the difficulty suggested by Mr. Herries. Mi m . Herries- withdrew his amendment, and the clause was passed. Clauses 15, 10, and 17, machinery clauses, were passed without debate. Clause 18 was passed with several slight amendments, and Mr. Moore then (1.20 a.m.) moved to report progress. The Premier said he was uot satisfied with the progress oiade. Mr. Moore urged that the importance of the Bill was such that it should receive the

most careful consideration, and at hours when members were fitted to deal with it. Mr. Massey said that if ho had his way he would stick up tho Bill altogether and go to tho country on it. At any rate, it should not bo brought into force until tho country had expressed an opinion on it. Mr. Herries thought the Premier unreasonable. Ho understood that the right lion, gentleman wanted them to pass the Bill down to tho lifty-second clause. The Premier — Let us get to business. Mr. Herries — Why, there is enough in those clauses to keep us here three weeks. The Premier (angrily)— l can slay here just as long as the hon. member cau. Mr. Herries protested against the attitude of the Premier. The motion to report progress was negatived by 29 votes to 18. Clausos 19 and 20 were passed without amendment. In answer to Mr. Ilerries, tho Premier stated that he did not now intend to bring Maoris under the provisions of the Bill. Clause 21 was passed with slight amendments. Captain Russell then suggested that they should pass tho clauses down to 29, and go home, but the Premier insisted on passing the clauses down to clause 34. Captain ltussell said he had difficulty in persuading members on his side of the House to allow the clauses to rush through as rapidly as they had done that evening. They had very strong feelings on the subject, and felt keenly the necessity for each clause receiving the fullest consideration. It would take thorn to at least 3 a.m. to pass the clauses down to clause 29. The Premier said he had just as much trouble in restraining his side of tho House, lie had intended to pass down to clause 52 that night, but recognised that there must be give and take on both sides. Captain ltussell pointed out that the Opposition had already given way to the extent of about a dozen clauses. The Premier, however, would not give way beyond olause 35. A debate Sprang up, whereupon the right hon. gentleman left the Chamber, muttering indignantly. At 2 a.m. it was necessary to ring up a quorum, only 12 members being present in the Chamber. A quarter of an hour later Captain Russell offered a compromise. He would agree to pass down to olause 35 if clauses 26, 29, and 31, which contained debatable matter, were postponed. The Premier accepted this offer. ' Tho other clausos down to clause 35 were then passed, progress was reported, and the House rose at 2.30 a.m.