Opunaka Parliamentary Union.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 107, 12 July 1895, Page 4

Opunaka Parliamentary Union.

[By our Parliamentary Reporter.]

The first meeting of the above was held on Wednesday, evening in the school-room, when twenty-six members put in an appearance. One part of the room was set aside as a ladies' gallery and about twenty ladies graced the proceedings with their presence, and apparently took a great interest in them. The room was well lighted and a- cheerful fire provided so that it was very comfortable. Mr Bailey, Clerk of Parliamnet took the chair and opened proceedings by calling on the House to elect a Speaker. Mr O'Brien was unanimously chosen. After returning thanks for the honor conferred on him, he called on Mr Brennan for the Ministerial Statement. Mr Brennan gave particulars of "the formation of the Government and made a brief statement of what their policy ,would be and what Bills they intended introducing. Mr W. F. Robinson was elected Leader of the Opposition. A number of questions were then put to the Miuisters, most of which ■were answered satisfactorily. The Act to place a tax on bachelors was then read a first time. It provided a poll tax on all bachelors over 25 years of age, of fifty per cent on their annual income. The revenue derived from it was to b'e devoted to providing annuities to spinsters over the age of 45, who produced affidavits that they had not refused any eligible offers of marriage. If there were none such then the revenue was to be devoted to general charitable purposes. Messrs Brennan, Guy, McLeod and Stewart supported the Bill, and Messrs Robinson, White, Moloney, Rogers, Raikes,. Armstrong and Bailey opposed it.

The Government declined to stake their existence on the Bill when they found there was an undoubted roajoirity against it. On the motion for the second reading a division was called for, which resulted—Ayes :9 ; noes: 15. It was therefore thrown out. The Lands for Settlement Act was then read a first time on the motion of the Minister of Lands (J. Guy), Women's Parliamentary Privileges Aot was read a first time on the motion of the Minister of Education (J. Stewart). Both of these measures will be the subject of debate at the next sitting, in the order named. It is anticipated that the Government will he defeated on one or the other of these measures, as they are to stand or fall ' by them and the Opposition are whipping up hard.