POLITICAL NOTES

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 346, 27 September 1898, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES

(BYTKI.KOKAPII -• SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT) Wellington, List Night. OLD AGE PENSIONS. The House got into a bit of a tangle 'o night over the position of the Committee on the Old Age Pensions Bill. Capt. Russell wanted to know where they were at half-past 7 o'clock, Mid after some discussion it was agiecd that the Speaker should be consulted as to tinaction of the Chairman- of Committees in simply taking the chair to-night with the words, •* The Committee has resumed," instead of the House being opened by the Speaker in the usual way. Sir Mauricti U'Rorke gave his ruling in favour of the Chairman's riecision. He said his opinion was that i*. was really a continuous sitting, if d that Mr Guinness was therefore perfectly justified it: taking the chair as though it were un ordinary adjournment of the Committee. GOVERNMENT CAUCUS. The vioverninent party met this morning to consider the order of business. According to the official report supplied by the Government; Whip, the principal matter under discission was the Old Age Pensions Bill, upon which there was much talk. A clear understanding was arrived at by the party as to certain provisions of the Bill and it was unanimously decided to endeavour to pass it. The Premier expressed the hope that the Bill would now be discussed on its merits and without unreasonable obstruction. The questiou of the Bills to be passed this session cropped up, and it was announced that the party .vould be called together later on to consider the matter. The Premier stated, and it was agreed to, that certain important Bills would have to be proceeded with however long the session niii»ht take. CAPT. RUSSELL'S POSITION. The Leader of the Opposition to-night made a spirited defence of the action of his party over the Old Age Pensions Bill. He said they had bei n most unfairly accused by Mr Ward and other member! of wasting the time of the country over the Bill ; but he warmly denied this accusation. They had on the contrary sacrificed their holiday (Saturday) in considering the Bill, and they were perfectly prepared to discuss the measure in reasonable hours. They protested, however, against being driven till all hours of the morning, and he hoped they would receive support from all parts of the House in this decision. They were quite prepared to work reasonable hours, but not longer than nature permitted. THE CHIEF STONEWALLER. Mr Pirani got back on the Premier very neatly to-night. Mr Seddon had just been attacking the Opposition and •'Left Wing" for obstructing the business of '.he country, but Mr Pirani put a different complexion on matters by stating that Mr Seddon himself had, during the late stonewall, delivered no less than foroy speeches, most of which were obstruction speeches. LADY REPORTERS. A portion of the ladies' gallery has now been screened off for the four lady correspondents who are at present engaged in Parliamentary reporting, and the ladies concerned occupied their new position to-night, apparently well satisfied with the arrangements for their convenience.