OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10598, 16 September 1896, Page 3

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

A LIVELY DISCUSSION.

(Fhoh Our Own Cof-res^ondent.)

Whllingtok, September 15.

Nobody ever dreams for one moment that Mr Seddon's Old Age Pensions Bill has a ghost of a chance of becoming law. It is not regarded seriously—it is simply an electioneering measure; consequently when the Premier rose in bis place at 7.30 this evening to move the second reading of the bill there wos a good deal of curiosity as to how he would explain the difficulties in regard to finance that lay in the path of this particular measure, and it turned out just as was anticipated, that the Premier played to the gallery with an ad captanduvi Titlgus speech such as he alone, of all the member* in the present Parliament, excels in. His arguments were crude. He appealed to class sentiment', and mnde hardly d reference as to how the necessary money was to be provided. He hinted, however, that as they had "got loano for other tbiogs they could get them for this, and that in the meantime ODly £250.000 would be required. Captain Ruesell, who followed the Premier, made a very telling and impressive speech, and neatly summed up the Premier'n oratorical effort ia one sentence : " Six minutes to explain the bill, 54- miimtes of bunkum and twaddle." " Sir, what is theobjsct of the Hon. the Premier ?" queried Captain liussell. And he answered the question in these words : " We all know it is humbug from bsginning to end. The Premier has no intention whatever pf passing it, and out of 75 members of this House there is not'one who believes it is going on the Statuta Book. I venture to say is'will never pass its third reading in this Houce." Mr Q.'W Russell spoke strongly in mppoit oi the measure, and was followed by Mr T. Mackenzie. It was soon evident that there was electricity in the air, and Mr Seddon began to wince under tbe oratorical lash of tha rasmber for Clufcha, and we narrowly escaped a scene; but Clutha has a knack of sailing very close .to the wind, and just as we think he is going to be named, and are looking out for something sensational he tacks and sails away amitirigly on another course. So it was on this occasion. He referred to some want of courage on the part of Mr M'Lachlan, the,member for Ashbnrton, and Mr Eeddfin. jumping, np moved that the words be tnksn' down.' There was some satirical laughter from the Opposition benches at this, and Mr did not prass his motion, hut the Actipg^Sjieaker couDsslled the withdrawal of the words. Mr Mackenzie replied that.such words wero continually used in that House, and he stated with some heat that; if the Premier thought he could brow-beat him in that House he was very mooh mistaken. The members on his side of the House had rights as well as thoso behind the Government benches. After some further debate, Mr Mackenzie said that if the Premier would state tiie wards that were offensive to him and the member for Ashburton he would withdraw them. The Premier said the words were that tbe bon. member for Ashburton had not the courage to go into the lobby iv opposition to the Government. Here Mr M'Laehlan roie. He said the words were a libel on him, and pointing dramatically at the member for Cluthii he added, "He dare not challenge my courage," whereat hou. members, ignoriug the gravity of tha situation, l&ughed consumedly. Tbe Speaker said he thought the words were objectionable, and Mr Mackenzie replied laughingly, " Very well, Sir, I withdraw them, and I will aay that the hon, member had the courage to vote ' Aye. when he was told to vote with the Premier." This amid sorns further laughter ended the incident.

Subsequently tbera wes a brief interchange of compliments between Mr Earushaw and Mr G. W. Russell. Then Mr M'Lachlan interrupted, and Mr Earushaw, turning on him, B*id: "I wish the hon. gentleman would go outside. He had better take a walk down the wharf." (This was probably an allusion to the hon. member who walked over the end of the Wellington wharf last year.) Mr M'Lachlan continued to interrupt, and Mr Earnshaw, returning to the chjirge, said: "If the hon. member will remove himself to the lobbies, possibly he will be more in order there than here."- When Mr Hogg, the member for Matterton, arose he almoat talked tho House empty with a prosy speech. ■.'■■'.■;■'■■

After the supper adjournment the extraordinary nature of the decisions given by the Acting-Speaker waß brought prominently under [tfib nebics of the Housa. Dr Newman was jatjesking, and mentioned that the Premier "Had not the courage of his opinions," when up'jumped Mr Tom Mackenzie to a point.of order. The words, he sniil, were the earns as he bad used, aud which the Premier had moved should be taken down. The Acting-Speaker said he did not understand that the same words had been used. Dr Newman said he would be happy to repeat the words, and he did 50..: Mr Seddon and oue or two other members interposed with cries of "Orderl" but Mr Tom Mackenzie stuck to his point, and the ActiugSpasker, driven into a corner, was compelled to explain that there was a distinction between the words used, though lie admitted jt was a very Cue one, whereat mstribers laughed. With such little pleasantries and interchange of compliments the debata on Mr Seddou's Old Age Pension Bill proceeded, and, as the clook pointed to midnight, there wa3 no sign that the high-water mark in (he coad of political talk bad been reached.

The debate on the bill suddenly collapsed shortly before 1 o'clock, and, tbe Premier having replied, tbe seoonct reading of the bill was carried. .. .