Payment of Members.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 4 August 1891, Page 2

Payment of Members.

We have asserted that the Government intended to take the earliest' opportunity to increase their salaries. The Government organs repudiated such an idea, these men, the representatives of labour, surely they would be the last to rob a poor man ! The time is not far distant when all said in their defence, will have to be taken baok. A week or two ago a report was sent South, that such a Bill as the Payment of Members Bill would be brought forward. Mr Ballance's paper, the Wabganui Herald was indignant and on the 21st July wrote " fye correspondent draws up- ( on a fertile imagination; and treats; his readers to a, { starring such as that Jihe La^o. ur .Representatives are aboul; to r'aise'their Parliamentary pay to £2so a year, payable monthly, or that the Government is, about to do something diametrically opposed to all tbeir^ previously expressed, opinions." ( , Well, the Bill has been introduced) and by the Hon. John Ball&nce, and so we find that he has done "something diametri- ] cally opposed to all their previously ! expressed opinions." We are not surprised,- iand do not understand why the Herald need be. The ne.cessity for introducing such a bill is !

to smooth the way with the members for an increase to the minister's own salaries, as the disproportion between the pay of a private member and a Minister will be evident, if this Bill is passed ; and it will be. The Bill is short and sweet. It acknowledges the love of pay which men possess, and also . the recklessness thai some display in getting rid of it. She Bill gives each member £240 per annum, but for fear of the effect that this windfall might have on its recipents the sum, instead of as is now the custom, being paid in a lump at the end of the session, is to be paid by equal monthly payments on the last day of each month ; As a further provision to keep members from harm, the Bill enacts that no payment is to be anticipated, not a solitary drink may be scored up against it, and it is not to " be liable to be seized or taken in execution under any process, or attached or charged in any way, under the order of any Court whatever!" The Hon. Mr Ballance after making all these stipulations,, seems to be doubtful whether members would be able to gefc to the Houss, and therefore provides that, in addition, there shall be paid to every member, as travelling-allow-ance, the actual sums which such member shall have reasonably paid in proceeding to and returning from Parliament, Truly a Liberal Government.