Parliamentary Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 486, 26 November 1897, Page 3

Parliamentary Notes.

IS THE HOUSE AND COUNCIL

[By Telegraph.] [From our Special Reporter.] ~ Wellington, This day. OLD AGE I'EXSIONS. Practically no progress was made with the Old Age Pensions Bill. In Committee this afternoon on Mr Taylor moving the reference of the Bill to a committee of the House with the view of evolving a workable measure, the Premier put on his hobnailed boots, declaring that the junior member for Christchurch was conspiring with members of the Opposition to kill the Bill. He gave it clearly to be understood that he would not submit to the Bill going before a committee, and said now that the crucial clause was passed the present amendment was a device of the enemy to block its passage. The Premier was proceeding to soundly rate the leader of the Opposition and others with trying to pose before the country as friends of the measure by voting for its second reading while in their heart of hearts they were anxious to kill it and were trying to do so in committee, when bis speech was interrupted by the Speaker being called in in consequence of Captain Russell charging him with deliberately stating what he knew to be untrue, and with refusing to withdraw the expression. Later. When Captain Russell persistently stated that he would not withdraw the lie direct which he had given the Premier but would submit himself to the decision of the House it was hardly expected that Mr Seddon would behave in the magnanimous manner in which he did by moving that the resolution be not entered in the Journals of the House. The concluding scene ended tbusly, after being sent for and apprised of the decision passed, Captain Russell said he did not know whether he had any right to address the House, but possibly by courtesy he might be allowed to place his position before the members. He regretted having incurred the displeasure of that most honorable House, and that he had been compelled to disobey the order of the Chairman of Committees, and that he had been subjected to censure. In his early life he had had the advantage of military discipline, and obedience had become like a second nature ; he could not therefore do other than admit that he had transgressed Parliamentary law, and submitted himself most respectfully to the rules of the House, and the censure which had been passed upon him. In extenuation he would explain the statements. The Right Hon. the Premier had continually strained his powers to the utmost that day. They had snapped. He had committed an offence and had entailed the censure of the House. He did not contend that that censure was undeserved, but he could not believe ihat in asking that question he had committed a wrong against the Premier. The latter's remarks to him were most offensive (hear hear), and had rested on no foundation. The Premier had escaped censure while he must submit no matter what his opinion of the conduct of the Right Hon. gentleman was. The Premier said he had never intended to be offensive to Captain Russell, but when the interjection was made that afternoon he was sincerely of the opinion that the question asked was with the view of stopping his speech. It gave bim great pleasure to move now that the resolution be not entered in the records of the House. (Loud applause). The motion was carried amidst acclamation, and a most unpleasant incident terminated by Captain Russell thanking the members in dignified terms for their kindness in so warmly acquiescing in the Premier's attitude. BELLS BECOME LAW. In the Council in the afternoon, the Public School Teachers Incorporation and Court of Appeal Act Amendment Bill, and Otago Harbor Board Loans Consolidation Act Amendment Bill passed their final stages.