M.P.'s OPPOSE CUTS IN OWN SALARIES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 205, 22 April 1932, Page 5

M.P.'s OPPOSE CUTS IN OWN SALARIES

(Post Special Commissioner)

INSULT TO MEMBERS repqrt of commission on national economy condemned persqnnel criticised

WELLINGTON, Thursday. Strong opposition to tbe proposals in tbe National Expenditure Adjustment Bill to reduce tbe honorarium of members of the Legislafure was voiced by members in the House of Representatives this morning. There was severe coipment on the section of tbe report of the. Economy Gommission dealing with remuneration, privileges, and concessions of Parliamentarians and the opinion- was experessed that the terms of the Commission's report were insultipg t,Q inemhers and a reflection p.p. the.Gpvernment,. which had set up the Comtnission. When the division bells rang the salary reductions were upheld by a substantial majority. Mr. P. Fraser (Labour, Wellington Central) said he had heard expressions of opinion in the House against the proposal to reduce members' salaries. He went further than that and stated that the whole of - the members were opposed to reductions .in their salaries. But he also stated that if members voted, against a reduction in their own salaries, they should also vote against a reduction in the salaries and wages of others. # "I have heard. language used about the report of the Economy Commission said Mr. Fraser, "which could not be used in this House. I consider that the. report of the Commission was an insult to this House. If there were eeonomies to be practised in this House, thjen a committee of the House was the proper body to deal with them. Parliamentary government in this country is receiving a very serious blow. Members of this House have been held up to the ridicule of this country." Mr. R. Semple (Labour, Wellington East), said the Government had only to go a .little further and it would be . impossible for a member of Parliament to live decently.

"Lot of Imposters" The impx-ession left by the report of the Commission he said, was that Parliament was composed of a lot of imposters. The report had done more to lower the dignity of the House than anything else. On the Commiss'on was a gentleman, Colonel Esson, whp was receiving anything up to £2000 a year and yet he suggested that the salaries of members of Parliament should be cut down. "I would like to know," said Mr. Semple, "how a member of Parliament is going to live in Wellington on the salary he receives. I am not go:ng to lie down to a committee of humbugs and imposters, suggesting that I am receiving from this institution something that I do not earn." Mr. Semple went on to refer to "Cowardly and dirty work" which he alleged the Cqmmission bad perform>d, but he was called to order by the Chairman of Committees (Mr. S. G. Smith) who said that the member would not be assisting his case by the use of extravagant language. Mr.% Semple then referred to the chairman of the Commission (Mr. G. Shirtcliffe) who, he stated, had made his fortune by accidenf. Mr. F. Langstone (Labour, Waimarino) : "Legalised robbery." "Would Squeeze Labour Out" Mr. Semple said that if the Commission had the chance; it would squeeze tbe Labour members out of Parliament altogether. Mr. A. Harris (Government, Waitemata) claimed that the report presented by the National Expenditure Commission was a grave refiectlm on the Government for setting up an , eslpensive commission composed of .men drawing large emoluments from the State; men who were only capable of prQducing .a report that was the subject of laughter and ridicule, while eeonomies had been introduced which would bear heavily on the poorer section of tbe communicy. Thousands of pounds were being paid to wealthy commissioners and it made one's blood boil to have members placed in the posit:on of having to reply to statements made in the report. "I am against all cuts," added Mr. Harris. "I am going to vote agcdnst the members' cut beeause I believe ths whole principle is wrong." Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Labour, Christchurch East), said there were some members who would like to see the honorarium disappear and make it a rich map's Parliament only. Labour members: "That is what they are after." Mr. Armstrong: "I am going to fight for all I am worth against reductions in pensions and in the wages of the lower paid public servants. I claim I am one of them." Mr. Langstone declared that the chairman of the Commission had his life insured for £15,000 and paid £792 a year in premiums. Economy Requiretf "It is my intention to vote for the clause beeause I feel that national : economy is required in public expenditure," said the Hon. A. D'. McLeod (Government, Wairarapa). "At the same time, ti agree with every- : thing tfiat has been said in connec- ■ tion with the wrong impressiop created by the Commission's report. It has done grave injustice to members." Mr. J. O'Brien (Labour, Westland) . said that if the commission was as ignorant on other subjects as it was on the position of members of Parliament the Government should set fire to the report. Members had no more privileges than were proyided in an up-to-date factory in .America. Mr. F. Lye (Government, Waikato), said his . own f eelings were against further wage reductions, but be had subordinated his opinions ;to those qf Cabinet hecause he saw the necessity for balaneing the Budget. At the same tjme ,he resented very. strongly the references that had, been made jn the Commission's report to members of Parliament. Unquestionably an insult had been hurled at the

} : - -u — • members who were -elected at the last general election. Mr. R. A. Wright (Government, Wellington Suburbs) described the present Parliament as the most ober that he had ever known so far as Bellamys was concerned. He did not think it would be possible for Parliament to carry on its work unless there were a restaurant attached. Attitude of Press In criticising attacks on Bellamys by the Press, Mr. Wright said that if the Press was not careful, it would bring such discredit on Parliament that Parliament would no longer be the bulwjkrk against revolution. Mr. G. R. Sykes (Government Masterton) said an impression had been created that tbe refreshments and meals at Bellamys were supplied to members free of Gost, but nothing could be more inaccurate. Mr. W. J. Jordan (Labour Manukau) contended that every member should have a motor-car as one of the tools of his trade, but evep if they were supplied with cars, many could not afford to. pay for the running expenses. Parliamentary duties . were a full-time occupation and every reduction that was made in the honorarium m'eant that a smaller measure of assistance would be availahle for someone else. On-a division being taken the clause was retained by 43 votes to 27 vqtes, Messrs A. M. Samuel and A. Harris (Gov.), and H. Atmore, C. A. Wilkinson and G. C. Black (Ind'.ependent), voting with the Labour Party.