THE £100 GRAB.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 314, 14 November 1929, Page 4

THE £IOO GRAB.

THERE is little doubt that there'will be general condemnation of the action of the members of the House in voting themselves an additional £IOO. It is not so much the amount as the way and the time of voting it. Throughout the session the financial stringency has been ever prominent. New taxation has been passed to meet the deficit, increases to the Civil Service pay have been refused. In the closing hours of a session in which many protests against increasing expenditure have been voiced, the grant is rushed through. The salary of £450 a year may not be adequate. The scale was fixed seven years ago and if £450 was adequate in 1922,, it is adequate to-day. A more inopportune moment could hardly have been chosen. It is certain that the needs of our Parliamentary representatives are not so pressing as certain sections of the State employees. The Government will probably be blamed for the increase. To place the responsibility on the shoulders of the Prime Minister is totally unjust. The Government took action as the result of representations from all three parties. All parties must share in the blame, and be held accountable for the action. It seems that many will have to answer the charge of inconsistency in professing economy, supporting new taxes and then voting £IOO to themselves.