The Opunake Times TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1896. OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 214, 22 September 1896, Page 2

The Opunake Times TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1896. OLD AGE PENSIONS.

The Premier has had to suffer another snub on his so-called policy measures. When the Old Age Pensions Bill was in committee an amendment traversing the Premier's finance of the measure was carried against him, and he declined to proceed with the Bill. He thereupon moved to report progress, relyiug on his subservient host, but when the numbers went up he found himself defeated again. He thereupon lefb the Chamber, evidently thinking that consternation would strike the House like a thunderbolt when the radiance of his presence was withdrawn. But it did not. Instead, Mr G. W. Russell sidled up to the table, and fondly taking the abandoned babe to his bosom, said he was prepared to see it through its troubles in the long clothes stage. Shortly afterwards the Premier returned, and on seeing his darliug in the arms of his arch enemy his rage knew no bounds, and he denounced the foster father in no measured terms. Progress was then reported and the babe buried. Where is the boasted strength of the Government now ? The Premier, who is undoubtedly clever, must see that his day of power is gone and that his large following has melted from him like snow before the noonday sun. His tact also is not equal to the altered circumstances. When he had an obedient following consisting of four-fifths of the House he took and got a lot of credit for unexampled firmness and power as a leader of men, but when the true test arrived of meetiny fairly equal forces he led his men on blindly and has had to suffer the humiliation of defeat. He then called a meeting of the heterogeneous Liberal Party and tried the' bounce again, after which, he proclaimed he had regained his ascendancy, but when the bag of feathers which had been plucked from him at the caucus, was opened and was found to contain Government Fire lusurance, Master and Apprentice, Usury Prevention, Fair Rent, Referendum, County Franchise, &c, it may easily be imagined what a moulty looking bird he must be, and that he would be ashamed to orow any where else than his own backyard.