PAYMENT OF MEMBERS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 20, 5 September 1877, Page 4

PAYMENT OF MEMBERS.

Under the nom de plume of " Uncle ! Ned," a correspondent writes as fol- ' lows on this subject to the Border Watch a South Australian paper : Attempts have been made from time, to time hitherto ineffectually, and are being renewed, for the introduction into this colony of the system at present in operation in Victoria for the payment of mambers of the Legislature. After giving the subject every consideration, and studying it from every possible point of view, I have arrived at, the conclusion that" payment of members" is the correct thing to do. The only difficulty that I enn perceive in the way ia as to the mode of payment. It would be manifestly unfair to pay the "Hon. Momber for Red Gum, v who had addressed " Mr Speaker " at least twelve times each day during the session, the same amount as that paid to the '• Hon. member for Sheaonk," who had contented himself during the sitting by merely giving utterance from time to time t o the simple monosyllables aye and no. The question then arises, which is the best course to adopt ? and so far as I am in a position to give an opinion, I' would suggest that payment should be either by " resulls," or "number and length of speeches" made during each session of Parliament Payment by results being number one on the card, requires our first consideration, and my proposal is— provided the system is adopted — that the amount paid should be in exact proportion to the services rendered. For instance, if an hon. member ignores the Speaker's ruling, and is personally offensive to -that hon. gentleman at least three times in one day, then such member should be credited with one good mark. If an hon. member addresses another hon. member in complimentary terms, by calling him a " fool," " dolt," ." idiot," "sneak," "loafer," and "pull-your-nose-if-I-oould," he should receive two marks. If an hon. member on the . Government benches intimates in Parliamentary terms to an hon. member of the Opposition that he is a '' hanger-on of every Ministry," " everything to every man," "liar," "scoundrel, and only fit to stump the country," he must be credited with three marks. If an hon. member of the Opposition politely informs the Ministry that " tiiey are a . mass of corruption," " that a course of Ayers' pills aud sarsaparilla is the only effectual remedy for their complaint ;" " that all measures introduced by them have fallen flat, stale and unprofitable;" "that they retain place simply for the sake of pay and power ; " " that they do not possess the confidence of the House or country " — then every such member shall receive , four marks; but no hon. member shall receive more than four marks in any one day, no matter how admirable his conduct roay have been. The aggregate value of the marks not to exceed One Fardbn, For every three speeches, each not being less in length than one column of the ordinary pages of a public journal, one mark; and one mark for every three additional speeches, provided, however that not more than twelve are delivered in one day — provided, also, that nothing in any of the speeches shall have reference to any question before the House, but to consist simply of personal explanations, points of order, frivolous charges against some unfortunate Government official, attacks on private individuals under shelter of Parliamentary privilege, retailing private conversations, etc. Any hon. member inciting hia constituents to get up a public nieeti-g for the purpose of presenting him with a tesiimouial to bu comoieu sel. If tiie testimonial takes tha f'onn of a public dinner ami piece ot plate, to ba highly commended. If accompanied by u purse ot sovereigns, to receive the thanks of the Bouse. If any boo. member should, however uninteutiou ally on hia ptrt, either by his votes o; speeches, assist iu doing anything that could possibly benefit bis constituency or the public generally, h^ muai, bespulleii, us such conduct is most uugeutlemanly and uubeeomiu^ the character of a member of a Colonial Legislature. By coininaud, Vivat Regina.