POLITICAL

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1933, Page 8

POLITICAL

IN THE HOUSE ON FRIDAY LAST Mr W. E. Barnard (Lab., Napier) .urged that the leader of the Opposition should be provided .with secretarial assistance! •./during the recess. He said that the leader of the Opposition held -sa■ distinctive office, ’and members of the public were under the impression that he received a larger * salary than an oidinary member of- Parliament. A great deal of work devolved on the j leader of the Opposition, quite as 1 much as on any Minister. It was recognised that the Labour party was the alternative to the Government, and if any change in govorn- ! merit took place, the Leader of the ' Opposition would be called on to j form si government. That meant that Mr Savage had to do a lot of research work to keep abreast of the trend of events. During the recess the leader of the Opposition has as much work to do as he had during the session. Sir Apirana Ngata asked whether it was proposed that the leader of the Opposition should be provided with a. full-time secretary and a travelling allowance. Labour members: Yes. Sir Apirana: I wall submit that to my colleagues. Mr Walter Nash (Lab., Hutt) said that in Australia leaders of the Opposition received extra payment. Mr R. McKeen. (Lab., Wellington South) said Ministers received allowances for themselves and secretaries, and he thought some provision should be made for the leader of the Opposition.