POST-SESSIONAL.

Evening Star, Issue 11673, 4 February 1902, Page 4

POST-SESSIONAL.

[Special to the Stab.]

WELLINGTON, February- 4.

Speaking at Palmerston last night Mr Pirani announced his unshakeable determ( nation to retire from politics. He said that the session last year was the most extraordinary be had experienced. The Government went in with a majority of forty, yet over and over again the Premier could only carry his measures by getting some of the Opposition to vote with him, so many of his supporters having become eo disgusted with his action, on many occasions that they had risen in revolt. Dealing with native affairs, Mr Pirani said that the legislation in regard to Maori lands was the most vicious ever conceived by ParHament. The only way to preserve the race was to make its members worthy citizens, give them personal responsibility, place a certain quantity of land aside for their individual use, and utilise the balance under wise administration. Criticising the increase in members’ honoraria, ho said that it was impossible to estimate the value of the services done by members. Some were worth £IOO a year, and some were dear at any price. Under the present circumstances £260 was quite sufficient for an ordinary member of Parliament. Speaking of military pensions, Mr Pirani said that it was a crying disgrace to the colony that there were men whose relatives now in the colony woe subsisting on charity because of the absence of proper provisions in the shape of an adequate pension. Under the amended Bill a lieutenant’s wife or widow would receive £l7O a year, while the wife of a trooper would only receive something like £B> a year. Troopers were every Sit as good as officers, end in many respects a jolly right better. Mr Pirani’s speech was sympathetically listened to, and a hearty vote of thanks accorded him.

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