CUSTOMS EXPERTS’ SALARY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3769, 22 August 1907, Page 3

CUSTOMS EXPERTS’ SALARY

Mr Shannon’s Allowances. Terms of Appointment. The circumstances and terms of Mr Shannon’s appointment to the Customs Department have, since the debate in the House of Representatives on Friday evening, become matters of considerable public interest, particulajly as they are now engaging the attention of Ministers. The Minister of Customs only recently learned that Mr Shannon drew 303 a day travelling expenses whether travelling or not, and for the information of the Minister the following letter was addressed by Mr Shannon to the Secretary to the Department: — “ Mr Glasgow,—With reference to our conversation on Saturday respecting my travelling allowance, which extends to Wellington as well as other towns in the colony, you are aware of the facts, which I shall state for the information of the Hon. Mr Millar, the present Minister of the department. In 1888, the first protective tariff was passed, and the House made such a muddle of it that the officers of the Customs could not properly interpret it for duty collecting purposes, more particularly in the drapery portion. At Sir Harry Atkinson’s request, I undertook to classify it, and he was so well satisfied with my knowledge that he offered me the position which lat present hold. For some months we could not come to terms as to salary and allowances. I asked £ISOO a year and travelling expenses, undertaking to prevent frauds which I knew were being carried on, and which would save the Government at least from £IO,OOO to ,£12,000 a year. These may appear large figures, but subsequent events proved that I was correct. Sir Harry Atkinson stated to the House in 1889 that he held in his hand a list supplied by the Secretary of Customs, showing that Mr Shannon had recovered duties and prevented frauds during the seven months of his service amounting to over £SOOO, which more than justified the appointment. ‘ ‘ In discussing the question of salary Sir Harry told me that the House would not pass the amount I wanted, but that he could offer the salary and expenses of a Minister, viz., £BOO a j 7 ear, and 30s a day travelling expenses ; that he could not ask the House for more, as they were reducing all salaries 10 per cent., but that he would make my travelling allowance cover my sta5 r in Wellington, which would be almost equal to what I wanted. This was not satisfactory to me at the time. On leaving, the Secretary, Mr H. S. McKellar, who was most anxious to obtain my services on account of the muddle the department had got into, asked me to put in a formal application stating my qualifiactions, as he had no doubt the Government would arrange with me as to terms. This letter will be found on my papers. I told Sir Harry Atkinson that I would consult Mr Ballance on the matter, and that in any case I could not take the appointment without doing so, as I had arranged with him to contest the Rangilikei seat at the next general election. I went to Wanganui some time after, and saw Mr Ballance, who advised me to take the appointment, as he believed I could serve the country better in preventing the frauds he knew were going on than if I went into the House. He told me to to tell Sir H. Alkinson that so impressed was he with the necessity of the appointment that if he (Sir Harry) gave me £IOOO a year and 30s travelling allowances, including my stay in Wellington, as leader of the Opposition he would support it in the House. In October, 1888, I accepted Sir Harry’s terms under a three years’ engagement, which was embodied in an agreement made by him and signed by his Commissioner of Customs, Mr Fisher, which I hold, and a copy of same will be found on my papers, which clearly sets out the conditions.

‘ 1 At the end of the three years of my employment, Mr Ballance, who was then Prime Minister, ratified and extended the agreement. Mr Seddon, when he succeeded to the Premiership, having a full knowledge of the fact that my salary was a year, and 30s a day travelling allowance, including my stay in Wellington, approved and continued the agreement. He complimented me on the work I had done, and the large leakages I had prevented in Customs duties, saying that in .1889 he spoke in the House against the appointment, but it was only when he became a Minister that he saw the value of my services. Higher commendation I want from no man, but I am certain that you, Mr Glasgow, above others, know the value of ray services, and I feel confident that you will admit that no man in the department has ever carried out his duties with more zeal and efficiency than myself. I admit that so-called experts can be got from to a year, but what use would they be to you in advising on the intricate questions of tariff-making or preventing the fraudulent attempts made on the Customs that are cropping up from day to day ? Or, should the shoddy and Mixed Cotton and Wool Cloths Bill pass, these inexperienced men would land the department in no end of trouble. In conclusion, I may be permitted to respectfully assert that the Government cannot secure today a man in the Australian colonies or in New Zealand with my knowledge and experience in all departments of trade and who understands the Customs work as

I do at less than £ISOO a year and 30s a day travelling allowance, including his stay in Wellington.”