POST SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 332, 4 February 1902, Page 3

POST SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

AIR PIRANI AT PALMERSTON NORTH. ANNOUNCES HIS EARLY RETIREMENT. (Per Press Association.) Palmerston North, last night.

Mr Pirani addressed a packed meeting in the Theatre Royal to-night, dealing with the work of the past two sessions.

Fie strongly condemned Ministerial extravagance, and estimated that at least £IOO,OOO was spent last year in services outside of the proper servic?s of State.

He spoke in adverse terms of the continuous payments made to the Governor in the nature of sops, and he regretted that Lord Ranfurly’s term of office had been extended for another year. There were several hideous blunders in the Public School Teachers' Salaries Act, and he trusted the effort of the Government to usurp the powers of the Education Boards would, be firmly checked. He alleged the Government administration was costing nearly two millions more than in 1891, while the annual expenditure out of the Public Works Fund was more than a million and a half more. A large amount o£ this money, he asserted, was used in bribing constituencies, while much was wasted. He condemned the Native land legislation, and the increase of tne honorarium to £I3OO. He maintained that not sufficient provision was mqde in the Military Contingents Act for privates, though officers wete fairly provided for. Mr Pirani announced that owing to family reasons lax did noh intend to contest the seat the next election. He had decided oil the step in opposition to the advice of his supporters and politicians. He spoke on the subject and read an extract of a letter from Captain Russel , suggesting that he with-hold the announcement, and eulogising his work in Parliament, stating than whether on one side or the other he (Riani was a man who should be in Parliament. Mr Pirani greatly deplored the course forced upon him, which he said was absolutely unavoidable Hr reasons known to his intimate mends A vote of thanks was earned for the address, and also for the satisfactory manner in which he .au carried out his Parliamentary auoies for nine years.