IN THE LOBBY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1035, 30 August 1883, Page 2

IN THE LOBBY.

[from our parliamentary correspondent. ] Wellington, To-day. An important change is proposed in the honorarium to the Legislative Councillors. They have hitherto received the same amount as the members of the Lower House, namely, 200 guineas The General Assembly Members Expenses Bill, which has just been printed, proposes to fix the honorarium at 100 guineas for members residing beyond 10 miles from the Parliament Buildings, while those residing within this area are to receive nothing. Mr Pharazyn’s recent proposal in this direction will have served as a Stormy Petrel to indicate the coming change in that Chamber. . He will at any rate be relieved of a salary which has troubled his conscience. There is not the remotest probability that the Lower House in its present temper will alter this Bill in the direction of increasing the amount to be paid to Legislative Councillors. Of course the Upper House has no control over this as a money Bill. The honorarium to members of the Lower House is put in the Bill at 200 guineas, 'and no exception is made as to the distance. All members are to be allowed their travelling expenses to and from Wellington.