POLITICAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 78, 6 August 1913, Page 7

POLITICAL.

A MAIDEN SPEECH. Mr P. C. Webb, who was cordially received on rising to make hist maiden speech in the House, said he came to the House believing and hoping to assist in legislation beneficial to the community, but it seemed to him that this' was more ljke a comic opera show. That night they had presented to them a Bill (Old Age Pensions Bill) which was the most imporant on the Statute Book at the present time. Not only was it the mo3t important, but it was the most humanitarian Bill they had. The last night, the Premier had stated that owing to the long hours and hard work, it was inadvisable to continue the sitting after 11 o'clock that night, and at 2 o'clock that morning this most humane Bill had been forced on the House. He (Mr Webb) represented the people most interested in the business of the Bill, namely, the working people. Ho believed that the class of people who could see clearly into the future saw in the old people concerned the image of their own future. ,

. "This is no time to deal with such an important question. ' There are m'any clauses in the Bill' which need amending, and of course, no one would ever for one momfent think of opposing the'principle; of the;' Bill. '"We do, submit that practically; every [clause in the Billet the presnet time' —if we are to do justice to the old pioneers—needs amendment .in order to have it presentable to those old pioneer*." 'lt was almost out of reason to expect members, of whom half were asleep and snoring, to tinker with such ,1m Act at that time. 'lt was an outrage on the men of the Old Age Pension scheme to do that. He hoped the question would soon be put and thus allow members to. go home arid think 1 over the Bill. He stood for a;'six-hours' day, believing it would lead to greater efficiency. "You go on talking till you talk each other asleep. I would sooner slum over any other question on the Statute Book than this Old Age Pensions Bill," said Mr Wehb. They had widows and the incapa-citated to deal with, and it would he an outrage on the old people of the country. (Applause.) The Hon. W. H. Herrios heartily congratulated Mr Webb, and was certain he would he an acquisition to the chamber. The sentiments he had expressed did him credit.