THE LEGISLATURE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 October 1932, Page 6

THE LEGISLATURE

PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS! 1 - \ WELLINGTON, October 4. Although it has taken economy to be its watchword, the Government, has not made any drastic curtailment in' Legislative Department votes, which concern the privileges of members of ‘Parliament. At the same time the holding of two sessions this year may b 6 'partly responsible for that.. According to the Estimates, sea passages for members of both Houses and their wives are estimated to cost £IB9O, competed with £1952 spent in 1931-32. The passage, of the member for Lyttelton (Mr •! McCombs) to and from the Chatham Islands, on the Government ■vessel Matai, is charged at £lO. The sum of £24,530 is voted for railway passes and concessions which are given not only to members and ex"members 1 of th© Legislature, but to their families, relatives, and, others. The cost)of this privilege last year was *£25,050.. In addition the sum 1 of £I6OO is provided lor railway .sleeping ,berths for members and their wives (compare*!' with £1616 in 1931-32). Last year’s vote of £25 for railway lounge seats for members has been omitted; Postage and telegrams for members of the Legislature are estimated to cost the - country £1250, while provision is made for a further refund to the P°st •Office of £2OOO, as the difference- be- , tween special and ordinary; r sites for telegrams. The amounts (spent last year were £lßl2"and £I2OO ’respectively. The isunf of £l5O is provided for office equipment for Ministers’ offices; compared 1 with £B7, spent in 1931-32, while a new .charge against the. Legislative Department is £lO .for tram' fares. The cost of supplying publications to members of the Legislature'is expected to amount, to £480; compared with £494.