The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, SEPT. 19, 1907. THE FEDERAL STEAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2189, 19 September 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, SEPT. 19, 1907. THE FEDERAL STEAL.

Human nature appears to be much the same in all countries, and the similarity of Australian, politicians to our own was strikingly shown recently in what has been euphoniously described as “The Federal Steal.” Until a few weeks ago members of the Federal Parliament were receiving £4OO annually as recognition of their services to the country, and this has now been raised to £6OO per year. The addition of £2OO a year to the allowances of tho 36 senators and the 75 representatives means that tho country will have to find another £22,200 per annum for its Parliament. At present senators and representatives divide £44,400 amongst thorn, in addition to which a sum of £12,000 is apportioned to tho seven Ministers, whilst the President of the Senato and the Speaker receive £llOO a year each, and the Chairman of Committees in each House receives £SOO. Tho total sum, then, spent on membzers of tho Federal Parliament —exclusive, of course, of pickings in the way of allowances for carriage by rail and sea and cab fares, and so on —is £59,000, or an average of nearly £537 a year. There are many who consider that the average member ol the Federal Assembly would be dear at half the salary he has now boon allotted, but this is not the most aggravating featuro of tho business. Chief indignation is heaped on Sir AA’illiam Lyne as Leader of the Houso because of tho methods adopted in bringing the proposal before the Houso. There had been no opportunity given to the people to express .an opinion on tho matter, which had never been discussed during the last election campaign. Then, after all sorts of rumors had boon afloat in tho House, Sir AA’illiam Lyne gracefully intimated to tho House of Representatives that, if it was the desire of honourable members, ho would bring down a message and a Bill tho same day increasing their allowance to £6OO a year. Commenting on tho position the Argus remarked:—“But lie made one stipulation. That the increase should begin with next Parliament, or that it should not become operative until the country had definitly pronounced in its favor? Nothing of tho kind; the undertaking he demanded was that the raid upon the public Treasury by its elected guardians should be free from any taint of party spirit; that the Opposition and tho Labor members should join with the Ministerialists in the indecent grab for money, without paying any consideration to party tics or tho interests of the country. An unpleasant item in the unpleasant business is the haste with which the grab is to be arranged. Tho Minister then brought down the message recommending the increase, the B:l accompanied, and the same night the first reading stage was carried. Tlieio must be no delay. No time must be given to members to waver, and the country must he afforded no chance of protesting against the discreditable proposal of its representatives. Nevertheless there was some spirited protest from some members, and an interesting debate touching the responsibility of tho Government, which Sir AA’illiam Lyne as usual is disposed to shirk.” All of this reads very much like a page of history from the records of our own Parliament. It is true the “£4O steal,” which aroused a good deal of indignation in this country a few years ago, merely represented an increase to £3OO per annum, but as regards the manner of its imposition all that tho Argus has said about tho Federal Parliament might with equal justice be said about our own. AA’lien the Seddon Parliament rushed tlio £4O increase through in the dying hours of the session, there were a few members disinterested enough to vote against the motion, and some who subsequently refused to accept tho increase. One of these was Mr. AA’. AA’. Collins, of Christchurch. Unfortunately democracy does not appear to recogniso such self-sacrifice at its true worth, and the member in question was rejected at the succeeding general election. AA’hilst properly rejoicing in the satisfaction that, always comes from a righteous action ho has furnished yet .another instance of tho ingratitude which lulls to the lot of those wlio take part in public life. Under such circumstances it is probably not so hard to understand that the average politician is disposed to “make hay while the sun shines.”

laet that the world is growing better it is tho tremendous udvunce that has taken place during the past fifty years in the cure of the sick and otherwise afflicted members of the community, and there is no question but that tho best interests of tho race are conserved by tho spirit of liumunitariamsm that lias been a marked feature of tho last half-century. Throughout the civilised world to-day the task of constructing and maintaining hospitals is '’cheerfully accepted as a national duty, and it is eminently proper that this should bo so. Concerning tho social to-night, which lias engaged the strenuous offorts of a littlo band of enthusiasts for some time past, wo can only express the wish that it will be supported in such a way as to leave no uncertainty as to tho position taken up by Gisborne residents regarding hospital work. Tho social is tlio only means whereby tho public is invited to assist tho local hospital, and under tho circumstances the committee which has the arrangements in hand is justified in looking for very substantial patronage. As to tho entertainment provided, wo aro assured by tlioso whoso business it is to 'know, that it will leave nothing to be desired oil tho part of tlioso who attend, so that the pleasure of contributing to a noblo cause is thereby enhanced.