WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11040, 18 April 1899, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

—_» [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ; Wellington, Monday, ! ME. DUTHIE, M.H.R. • I regret to'say that tlie rumours abroad as • to the health of Mr. Duthio suggest that 1 the malady from which be suffers is serious. ' It is probable he may recover, but as the heart's action is weak he is forbidden by his medical adviser taking an active part in the electoral campaign. He will probably take his seat in the House again, but will not take any further active part in politics. CRITICISM OF THE SEDDON GOVERNMENT. I learn that a brochure is likely to be issued shortly in pamphlet form, containing a criticism of the Seddon Government by competent experts. About 70,000 copies will , be printed and distributed. The subject matter will be selected from Mr. Seddon's ' own speeches and official documents. All ; party colour will be avoided. The object . is to compile simple statements of fact upon which the people of tho colony may estii mate whether the Seddon Administration is . worthy of support. 1 THE OLD AGE PENSIONS. I am told that letters are received from populous centres stating that Mr. Seddon is not likely to find much satisfaction in this ! experimental piece of legislation. The re--1 spectable poor have begun to perceivo in this 1 case, as in so many others, that while the unworthy have received pensions they aro ' out in the cold. Tho number of abusos ' which have already been developed by this 1 new method of giving charitable relief, is calling general attention to the system. I have heard of several cases well authenticated whero the persons receiving pensions possessed considerable wealth. The number of pensioners is largo who turned the opportunity of receiving a pension into a drunken carouse. Thero is said to be a case in Wellington where a husband and wife ob- • teined each the full pension, although they are known to be in business as boardinghousekeepers, and have accumulated property besides. Letters have been received from country people, who say that tho unthrifty have received the pension, while the thrifty have been ignored.