PRIME MINISTER’S SALARY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1928, Page 1

PRIME MINISTER’S SALARY

IS IT SUFFICIENT?WELLINGTON October 5. At least one member of the. Labour Party believes that the Prime Minister should be the most highly-paid public servant in New Zealand. He is Mr Parry (Auckland No public servant in New Zealand should receive as much, and certainly not more, ilia the Prime Alinister, be declared in the House. It was not right that the new General Manager of Railways should receive £3500 per annum when the Pi •ime .Mini ster was paid much Jess than that amount. “The Prime Ali'n inter has a national responsibility involving the tbtal .amount invested in the country, where she General Manager of Railway lias a responsibility concerned only with railways in which fifty millions is invested,” continued Hr Parry. “ Wlie.fr you compare their salaries—well, there is no comparison. Put it before the} 1928 Committee?” (Loud laughter.) j air E. S'. Howard (Christchurch South): Or go out bn strike? Mr Parry: And |’m not sayimg that the Prime Minister is receiving all that he should in view of his national responsibilities. Mr J. A. Nash (Palmerston North'): Hear, hear.

The Prime Minister’s salary is fixed by statute at £2OOO per year, but • “cut” was made sonuatime ago. In addition, of course, be occupies free of charge, a large fully-furnished ministerial residence, has the use of a Government limousine, and is paid travelling expenses at the rate of £2 a day (exclusive of locomotion) when on public business. Air (Mates seldom works less than ten hours a day, and in session time his hours range from fifteen to eighteen daily.