M.P.'S STEAMER FARES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 265, 3 August 1920, Page 4

M.P.'S STEAMER FARES

DISCUSSED BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. At yesterday's meeting of tho council of the Wellington Cham'ber of Commerce endorsement was sought by'the Christchurch Chamber, of the proposed action of the Government to allow tho Union S.S. Co. to frank members of Parliament on its steamers, the southern chamber's resolution viewing such proposed action; with, "disapprobation and regret." The secretary (Mr. H. D. Yickery) saM that the resolution was similar to the ona they had already passed. Mr. It. E. Sinclair asked members of tho council if they knew if members of Parliament had , ever paid. _ It might sound new to some, but he did not know and he doubted if anyone present knew whother members had ever pnlid thoii own fares. Was it not possible that tho Government had always jpnid them? Mr. P. W. Viekerman said that tho Government paid tho fares up to tho opening of Parliament and home again at its close. Trips in between had to be paid out of members' own pockets. Tho choirman (Mr. A. P. Roberts) said that at all events they could approve the principle that members of Parliament should not bo dependent on tho favours of a private company. The resolution from Canterbury wa» endorsed.