RAPID-FIRE DEBATE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 720, 21 December 1933, Page 6

RAPID-FIRE DEBATE

OPPOSITION GRANT DISCUSSION ON SUGGESTED iALLOWANCE TO MJR. M. J. SAVAGE GOVT. WHERS" lOIBJECT Wellington, Wednesday. The almost unprecendented: speetacle of the chief G.overnment Whip openly assailing a deliberately-fram-ed policy provision' of the Government was witnessed in the House of Representatives early this morning, when Mr. A. J. Murdock (Marsden) made himself the target of rapid-fire criticism by reason of his opp'osition to a clause in the Finance Bill granting the leader of the Opposition £160 per annum for secretarial expenses during the recess. ■Aligning himself against Mr. Murdoch, the acting-Laader of the House, Mr. Coates, spurned Opposition sug.gestions that in the circumstances the clause should be abandened, and there was a strong expression of Government approval when the provision was adopted.

-"Not enough, not enough," came a chorus from the Lahour benches, wfien Mr. Murdoch referred to the proposed appropriation. "I think members of Pai-liament," •said Mr. Murdoch, "are not receiving a sum commensurate with the amount of work they have to do. (Hear, hear.) I think also that the Leader of the Opposition is entitled to a sum sufficxent to, pay his expenses throughout the year. Neverth'eless, I believe the time is not opportune for extending to a member of Parliament more money than he is now receiving, and there should be no extension until such time as we are prepared to increase the salaries of public servants.V (Loud laughter.) Mr. W. E. Barnard (Lalbour, Napier). A nohle sentiment. Wonderful magnanimity! "Time Not Opportune" Mr. Murdoch: If we were to allocate £500 to members of Parliament iMr. Barnard would support it, and if we were to pay another £150 to the Leader of the Opposition he would support it, but the time is inopportune. Mr. F. Langstone (Labour, Waimarino): When you were Minister you travelled all over the country. Mr. Murdoch: While we are cutting- down the salaries of those workdng for the State, we should not increase the honoraria of members of Parliament.

Mr. Barnard: Utter hypocrisy. No Arrangement Miade Mr. Coates said that no arrangement had been made with Mr. Savage, but the Government had itself made an arrangement which it thought was legitimate' and justified. It was the Government who had •brought the measure down, and it intended to pass it. Mr. W. J. Jordan (Labour, Manukau) : Then why did the Chief Whip criticise it ? Mr. Coates: Please don't take it that way. I know one member had an individual view, but he did not intend it to be personal or nasty. Mr. Parry persisted that the question had been raised by Mr. Murdoch in. a most begrudging way. "There is no one here," said Mr. Murdoch, "who recognises mere than I do the necessity for some assistance for the Leader of tliie Opposition, and I have never suggested thait members were adequately paid. There was no spleen in my remarks. )M!r. H. T. Armstrong (Labour, Christchurch East) : You had better. (Mr. Murdoch: Certainly not. Mr. Barnard: Then I think we will. Mr. Armstrong (.to Mr. Murdoch): We will vote with you. (Mr. Coates appaaled to the committee to pass the clause. ,Mr. Savage. If you report progress on the bill you will be doing me a great favour. Mr. Coates said he felt very much for Mr. Savage on the present occasion. Cries of "Pass the clause" came from the Government benches. There were further calls from Government members, "Pass the clause." "We are in favour of it," and provision was aigreed to amid a loud chorus of "ayes."