TRAVELLING EXPENSES.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14835, 28 November 1913, Page 9

TRAVELLING EXPENSES.

WHAT MINISTERS DRAW. SOME COMPARISONS. (STECIAL TO "THE FBBSS.") WELLINGTON, November 27. A discussion on Ministers' travelling expenses and allowances kept the House engaged for a short period this afternoon, when a return showing the amounts drawn by the members of the Mackenzie and Massey Administrations was presented. The Prime Minister said that tho travelling allowances and expenses of tho present Government compared very favourably with those of tho Mackenzie Government.

Mr G. W. Russell said that tho return showed money brought to charge, and not all the liabilities incurred. Ministers had kept their expenses back and had not brought to charge all tiiat had been incurred to March 31st. _ Mr Massey: They have done- nothing of the sort. Mr Russell said that th© Government should bring down a return showing their liabilities incurred to March 31st. Hβ asked the Prime Minister whether th© return showed tho whole amount of his travelling expenses to March 31st?

Mr Massey: Every cent. Mr Russell: Well, give mo a return. Mr Nosworthy: that is a knock-out. Mr Russell: It is not a knock-out, i have been long enough in politics to demand documentary evidence. Mr-Russell referred to the frequent absence of members of the present Government from Wellington during the recess. They were travelling throughout the country electioneering tno whole time. , , Mr Wilkinson: Were you not electioneering when you were travelling. Mr Russell (laughing): No, certainly not. I expect the hon. gentleman to accept my word! (Laughter.) Mr Russell also referred to the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, who, he said, natl drawn travelling allowance while-he was away from Wellington play»S *«»"{*•. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher said that a remark had been made to the effect that he had drawn travelling allowances while playing lawn tennis. Ihis referred to the visit of tho Davis Cup Sm Ho travelled with tno team while it was in New Zealand, and durin<* that time never drew a penny ot travelling expenses. Instead, he rorfefted a sum of £47 ho nuglit have drawn Mr Russell had also said that he (Mr Fisher) had drawn as expenses in connexion with his trip to Australia tho sum of £460. The facts were tnat Ss lorthe trip (53 days) wore £147/ an average of £2 15s per day. The Hon. G. Fowlds, when he went, to average for the trip was £5 10s per a Mr Buick: And a teetotaller at that! said tliat when Mr Fowlds returned from South Africa, his colleagues spent £75 in giving him a banquet at the public .expense. "Cabinet that afternoon," said Mr Fisher, must have had ono of the most glorious days of its life—a £75 banquet to Mr Fowlds, who was drinking soda! (Laughter.) , Tho Prime Minister said that the travelling exoenses and allowances of the Mackenzfe Government during its three months and twelve days of office totalled £1466. The expenses and allowances of the present Ministers during eight months and eleven days totalled £1150. DiETAILS OF THE RETURN. The return, which was presented to the House this afternoon, and which occasioned about an hour of party uiscuseion, was as follows, so far as it affected the Mackenzie and Massey Governments during tho year ended March 31st, 1913:— MACKENZIE GOVERNMENT. (March 28th, T912 to July 10th, 1912.) Allow- Exanccs. penses. £ £ Hon T. Mackenzie ... 87 255 Hon. A. M. Myers ... 45 26 Hon. W. D. c- Macdonaid 67 101 Hon. G. Laurenson ... 60 68 Hon. G. W. Russell ... G2 92 Hon. J. A. Hanan ... 45 28 Hon. H. G. Ell ... C 978 Hon. J. Colvin ... 61 74 Hon. To Rangihrroa ... 81 4ft Hon. T. Buxton ... 82 9 . MASSEY GOVERNMENT. , (July 11th, 1912, to March 31st, 1913.) Allow- Exances. penses. £ £ Hon. W. F. 3lassey ... 94 76 Hon. J. Allen ... 48 48 Hon. W. H. Herrics ... 78 24 Hon. W. Fraser ... 108 87 Hon. A. L. Herdman ... 40 30 Hon. F. M. B. Fisher ... 11l 90 Hon. R. H. Rhodes ... 48 51 Hon. F. H. D. Bell .:. — 17 Hon. M. Pomare ... 103 91