Rangitikei Advocate MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1907. SECOND EDITION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 8942, 7 October 1907, Page 2

Rangitikei Advocate MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1907. SECOND EDITION.

MR LAURENSON laments that the honorarium of members of Parliament loaves them in a worse position than, an ordinary commercial traveller. Ho estimates that it costs from £l5O to £3OO to get into Parlinamout, and complains that the member has to subscribe to cricket clubs, bowling clubs, football clubs, and bazaars. Wepiavo no sympathy whatever’with Mr Laurensou. If he finds the salary of a member insufficient for his needs he canj-rctire into private life and work for Ills living. His excuse that bocamse half his salary is used in bribing his constituents by means of subscriptions the honorarium should be increased is mere bare-faced impudence. Why should the country provide Mr Lanrenson with money to secure Ills re-election? As efforts will no doubt be made further to increase the salaries paid to members, it may be well to express a clear opinion on the subject. The honorarium given to members should not be such as to tempt men to make a business of politics, but should bo just sufficient to supply the needs of those who aro willing to make sacrifices in order to become membersTof the House. It is in no sense intended to measure the value of the services'a member can render to the country. A good member is of priceless value, while too many of onr present representatives would be dear at half the salary they receive. Any increase in the salary of members should therefore be resisted to the uttermost. It would not be likely to raise the standard of our politicians, while it would offer a greater temptation to those who regard politics as a means of living at the expense of the taxpayer.

THERE are times when strong language is needed, but those who habitually deal in superlatives “are generally conscious of a weak cause. Socialists all over the world seem to think that violent language is required to stir up the public they appeal to, and we cau only suppose that they realise that a plain aud fair statement of their case will not suffice to convince their hearers. A few months ago Mr Quelch, a delegate at the socialistic conference in Germany, was expelled from that country for stating that the Hague Conference was a thieves’ supper, aud plaintively explained that this was a term in common use among socialists. Mr Kior Hardie has been astounding the world by his outrageous statements in India, and Mr Ben Tillett has just delivered his opinion as to Australia, which ho considers unsuitable |for settlement, as the people grovel in the throes of poverty. “Though nature is prodigal in her gifts,” he says, “yet sweating, unemployment, aud starvation rule with a rod that breaks heart aud lives. Monopoly is Czar, laud is monopolised, gravest scandals occur iu tho administration of Government laud aud scores of thousands are unable to obtain laud.” Tho latest atrocity iu tho shape- of strong language lias boon perpetrated by Mr Graysou, the recently elected socialist member of the British Parliament. Speaking of the grant to Lord Cromer for his invaluable services iu Egypt, ho said that “tho national exchequer was being depleted to fill tho maw of an idle aud cruel parasite, who was a curse to the race. ’ ’ Tiiese are the men who arc making a bold bid for power all over the world, and it •is not to be wondered at that the more moderate members of all parties view the prospect of their success with something akin to dismay.