PARLIAMENT.

Opunake Times, Volume VII, Issue 338, 3 December 1897, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

♦ . . HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. OLD AGE PENSION BILL. The Hon W. Rolleston said the Opposition had not blocked the Old Age Pensions Bill, but had objected to go on with it at half-past one on Tuesday morning, when the Government side of the House was asleep and the Opposition side weary. Mr Seddon accepted the statement made by Mr Rolleston in the spirit in which it had been made If Mr Rolleston admitted there was an honest desire to pass the Bill he would be prepared to accept reasonable amendments. The motion to report progress was negatived on the voices, and the sitting continued. Clause 63 was amended to provide that Chinese and Asiatics shall not be entitled to receive pension. On.the motion of Mr Seddon new clauses were added providing that pensions shall be granted subject to the provisions of any amending Act, but no pensioner is to be entitled to compensation on account of such provisions, and that pension be devoted to maintsnance of the pensioner when he is a charge on any charitable institution. A number of new clauaes were negatived. The Bill was reported, and the House adjourned. Clause 57, providing for payment by the Colonial Treasurer with further appropriation than contained in the Act of necessary moneys for payment of pensions. Mr S. Mackenzie moved an amendment to the effect that the amount shall be annually appropriated by Parliament. Mr Montgomery appealed to the Premier to accept the amendments, and referred to the desirability of Parliament annually reviewing old age pensions. Mr Seddon pointed out that members of the House in connection with their salaries had provided that they should not be annually appropriated, and also that pensions to those retired from the Public Service were also appropriated under permanent Aots. Ai the Bill had been amended, he did not think more than 5,000 people would qualify for pensions, and this, at £lB each, would amount to 90,000 annually. From a finanoial point of view they had nothing to fear. Mr Wason contended if appropriations were not made annually the whole soheme would be useless. Mr Pirani characterised the Premier'! statements as reckless and misleading. After further discussion, the amendment was negatived on the voices, and an amendment (moved by Mr Rolleston) to a similar effect was negatived by 26 to 24. THE BANKING BILL. The Banking Bill was also introduced by message and read a first time. Captain Russell asked if it was intended to take evidence as to the expediency of altering the monagement of the Board. Mr Seddon said he would oonsult his colleagues as to whether the measure should be referred to the Publio Accounts Committee. WAGES PROTECTION BILL. Mr Seddon moved that the Wages Protection Bill, securing to workers the payment of their wages in full, and providing that contractors to local authorities shall furnish such authorities with a wages statement be committed. After discussion the motion was agreed to.