AN ILL-TIMED PROPOSAL.

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

AN ILL-TIMED PROPOSAL.

We are fully prepared to admit that Parliamentary pay is not princely. It is not sufficient to compensate efficient legislators for the loss they must incur by neglect of their own business. We doubt very much whether the country would approve honoraria on a scale attractive enough to induce men of capacity to serve unless they had also the desire, from other motives, to give service. But whatever arguments may be advanced for or against an increase, we are strongly of opinion that an increase or addition by way of temporary allowance should not be rushed through in the closing hours of the session. The subject should be examined from all sides before action is taken. There is a further reason against any additional allowance at the present time. Parliament has declined, and rightly so, to yield to Public Service pressure for immediate improvement of pay. It has said that Budget arrangements cannot be upset, nor a well-proportioned scheme of improvement hastily devised. It would be quite wrong now for the legislators to vote additional emolument to themselves. If the arguments against hasty revision of Public Service scales are sound, and we believe they are, they apply with even greater force to legislators’ honoraria. The Public Servants have been asked to wait till the subject can be thoroughly considered and the finances are easier. The legislators should wait also.—Wellington Evening Post.