SPEECH BY MR PIRANI.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7379, 4 February 1902, Page 2

SPEECH BY MR PIRANI.

HE ANNOUNCES HIS WITHDRAWAL FROM POLITICS.

Palmbeston North, February 3. Mr Pirani addressed a packed meeting at the Theatre Royal to-night. Dealing with the work of the past two sessions, he strongly condemned Ministerial extravagance, and estimated that at least one hundred thousand had been spent last year on services outside the proper services of the State. He spoke in adverse terms of the continuous payments made lo the Governor, and regretted that Lord Ranfurly's term of office had been extended for anothe r year. There were several hideous blunders m the Public School Teachers' Salaries Act, and he trusted that the efforts of the Government to usurp the powera of Education Boards would be firmly checked. He alleged that the Government- administration was costing nearly two millions more than in 1891, while the annual expenditure out of the Public Works Fund was more than a million and a half more. A large amount of this money, he asserted, was used in bribing constituencies, while much was wasted. He condemned the native land legislation and the increase of honorarium to £300. He maintained that not sufficient provision was made in the Military Contingents Act j for privates, although officers .were fairly provided for.

Mr Pirani announced that owing to family reasons he did not intend to contest the seat at the next election. He had deoided upon the step in opposition to the advice of supporters and politicians spoken to on the subject. He read an extract from a letter from Captain Russell suggesting that he should withhold the announcement, and eulogising his work in Parliament, stating that whether on the one side or the other, he (Mr Pirani) was a man who Bhould be in Parliament. Mr Pirani greatly deplored the course forced upon him, which was absolutely unavoidable for reasons known to intimate friends.

A vote of thanks for the address and also for the satisfactory manner in which he had carried out his Parliamentary duties for nine years was carried.