COUNCILLORS’ TRAVELLING EXPENSES

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 114, 11 February 1928, Page 11

COUNCILLORS’ TRAVELLING EXPENSES

* RESENTMENT AT RECENT REGULATIONS. Resentment at recent regulations prescribing the rates of travelling allowances payable to members of county councils was expressed at yesterday’s meeting of the Makara County Council by the chairman (Mr. E. Windley). Under the regulations each councillor has to sign a certificate that his claim for travelling expenses is correct in every detail, and this has to be lodged .with the county clerk before the councillor is paid. ‘‘We have to sign a declaration,” said Mr. Windley, “and I think it is a. reflection on the integrity of members of county councils. I want to protest and move that the protest be forwarded to the department, and that we express our resentment to the regulations. I feel that the time has arrived when we should place this matter before Parliament who promised they would amend the Act as desired by the Counties’ Conference, but failed to do so.” Criticism of the clause in the regulations whereby councillors were paid on a mileage basis was also voiced by Mr. Windley. “When it conies to splitting straws over a matter of a few shillings,” he said, “it is going a bit too far. The desires of the Counties’ Conference have not been acceded to, but regulations have been brought down that are more confusing than before. Surely the services of a councillor are worth a guinea. We know he is out of pocket for the services he gives. I move we protest about this too. There can be no beating. about the bush in this matter. Power board members are paid a guinea and travelling expenses without a murmur. The whole thing is horribly inconsistent.” The resolution of protest against the regulations, moved by the chairman, Was carried.