Premier Richard Seddon sleeping at the Table while the Old-age Pensions Bill is in Committee on the night of 23 September 1898. A major stonewall occurred around this legislation. Seddon had introduced the Bill on 21 September 1898, and it was debated continuously in Committee for 90 hours. More than 1,400 speeches were delivered. Seddon slumbered during parts of the debates, spreading an oppossum-skin rug over his lap, and resting his head on a crimson cushion.
Alexander
Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand
Reference: William Montgomery collection, qMS-1382-263
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.