Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1901. PAID LEGISLATORS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 7 October 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1901. PAID LEGISLATORS.

Democracy recognised as one of its first principles that those carrying on the functions of the State must be paid by the State, This principle is recognised in the Australasian colonies, where members of Parliament are paid for services—sometimes very in • different —rendered. The principle to be complete and good must provide a sufficient payment —one commensurate to the position of office held. In this colony the question of “ sufficiency 11 is occupying a prominent place and during the next two weeks is likely to be much canvassed, when a Bill to increase the payment of members of the House of Representatives to £BOO per annum will be introduced in the Assembly, We do not object to the increase, regarding it as a fair payment for work that should be expected from a member, and we do not think the country objects to the amount; but what it does object to is the hypocrisy of a good many who are anxious for the increase, yet declare to their constituents that the/ are opposed to it. The Premier, it appears is quite prepared to fulfil his promise and introduce the measure, but he does not intend to be treated in this matter as he was over the £4O increase of last session. In order to impress this fact upon members, a caucus of the Government party was held about ten days ago when Mr Seddon indulged in some very plain talk. The Auckland Herald correspondent seems to have got the “straight tip” in regard to that meeting. There was a full attendance of members, who came there expecting everything made smooth for the £3OO, and up to as certain point their expectations were realised. The Premier told his supporters that he was. still prepared to bring in the Bill, but there must be a stipulation as to the subsequent attitude of honourable members. Then, according to this correspondent, he proceeded to lecture them. He was not, he said, going to endure what he did last year on this quastion. All the Ministerial following must take a collective and individual responsibility. What he endured last year was this, that members kept barracking privately for the special vote of £4O, urging the Government to put the money on the Estimates. And then when they got it, and found what people were saying, they declared that they had had nothing to do with it, and represented that it had been forced upon them by Ministers. He would not have that again, and unless members were willing to take the responsibility he had referred to, Ministers would do nothing. This straight talk created consternation, and the caucus broke up without anything definitely being accomplished. The correspondent says : —“ Those present all wanted the money, but they thought it wrong that Ministers should not give them a chance of escape. No arrangement has been come to, and it remains to be seen whether the difficulty can be got over, and some method contrived to get the money out of the Treasury without unduly exciting the public. This is the problem that Ministers and their following are cogitating.” The position apparently is this. The Ministry will introduce the Bill as one entirely free from Party, but will not use its position to force the measure. If there are not a sufficient number in the House to pass the Bill, and face their constituents in justification then the payment will remain at £240, and an . annual saving of about £6,000 secured.