COST OF GOVERNMENT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 140, 11 August 1941, Page 4

COST OF GOVERNMENT

Sir, —Having recently listened-in to the sitting of Parliament, and agreeing with you when you term the debates as "Political Larrick-* inism," I would be interested to know what the Government has finally decided to pay itself in salaries. I feel that as well as paying my radio licence, the tax to provide for high paid broadcasting officials I would like to know how much it costs us to be provided, or rather subjected to the that. is

put on the air from the House

Yours etc.,

RADIO FAN.

The payment made to members of the House of Representatives is £450 per annum, subject to certayj deductions for absence not due to sickness or other unavoidable cause* Travelling expenses to and from Wellington at the opening and closing of each session are also allowed. The rate of payment for several years prior to 1920 was £300 per annum, hut was increased in that year to £500, 10 per cent reductions, however, being made in 1922, 19S1 arid 1932, with restorations of 5 per cent in 1934, and IV2 per cent in* 1935* The rate was restored to £450' —the 1922 level—from Ju'y 1, 1i>36., The Speaker's remuneration is £900 per annum, plus sessional allowance of £100 and free sessional quarters and that of the chairman of committees is £675 per annum. The Civil List Act 1920 authorises salaries of £2000 for the Prime Minister, and £1300 to each of ten Ministers. A reduction of 10 per cent was made in 1922, were again reduced in 1931 by 10 per cent and in 1932 were again reduced by 15 per cent. Restoration to the 1930 level Avas made on July 1, 1936. The present GovernmenS shortly after assuming office instituted a scheme whereby the services of all parliamentary representatives of the Government might be co-opted to assist Ministers' in bringing the Government's policy into effect. As part of the plan, Ministers are sharing a portion of their authorised salaries with other Gov-

ernment Parliamentary: representatives. Editor.