MEMBERS' SALARIES

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1920, Page 3

MEMBERS' SALARIES

THE INCREASES

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Oct. 1

When the Civil List Bill was reached, some amendments were presented embodying the reasons of Government as to the new rates. The amendments proposed higher rates of pay than had seen suggested in the original Bill, but did not go as far ais the joint Parliamentary 'Committee had done in matter of increases. The rates of pay proposed in the amending clauses were asi follows:—Speaker of Legislative Counril, £800; Chairman of Committees of Legislative Council £450; Speaker of House of Reps. £1,000; Chairman of Committees of House, £700; members of the Council £350; members of the House £SOO. The Prime Minister, £2,000; ten other Ministers each £1,300; Maori members of Executive Council £IOOO. The amendments provided that all these increases should date from June 30th 1920. Two members of the House, Mr Glenn (Rangitikei) and Mr Burnett, (Tenruka), opposed the increases. They thought that members ought not to take more money. Most members were interested chiefly in the period of retrospection, and they were almost unanimous in urging that increased payment should date further back than the end of June. Many suggested the date of election as a propel' | starting point. Mr McNicol, (Pahiatua), opposed this He said that the country was passing through difficult times, and he felt that members ought to come to Parliament to make some sacrifices. Eventually Mr Massey agreed to withdraw the clause | and to introduce another dating the in- , creases from April Ist. This compro- | rnise was accepted by the House and the rest of the Bill was put through , Committee unamended. The House rose before mid r niglit. I