WHAT POLITICIANS GET FOR NOTHING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 41, 28 May 1910, Page 10

WHAT POLITICIANS GET FOR NOTHING.

The House of Commons has been described as one of the most comfortable and convenient clubs in the world, and th» British legislators certainly have little to grumble at in regard to its smoking-room, dining-room, library and attendance. America, however, provides its Congressmen with luxuries which would make the British M.P. who visited Washington open his eyes in wonder.

In addition to a salary of £1250 a year which a member of the Congress of the United States receives, he has tne .privilege of access to an apartment in a marble palace which cost over £1)00,000 to build, and is furnished with all the comforts and conveniences of the finest modern hotel. This building is an annexe 'to the Capitol, and the two are linked by a subway as well as by every known* form of electric communication. In this building each member may have an office fitted with a companion wardrobe bookcase and file cabinet, and a library of several hundred volumes; while for the Congressmen's correspondence and documents many drawers, files and index compartments are provided. In addition, there are a roll-top desk, a- typewriter desk, a mahongany table, and* easy chairs; while in a corner is a poreclaiii wash-basin, with mirror and radiator, so that the legislator may regulate the temperature to suit his own requirements. In each office there :*re also a telephone and an electrically-re-gulated clock, as well as the inevitable ice-water, which is on tap. In addition, the building contains special private -baths, and for those who care for them sumptuous Turkish baths are provided for nothing. Hot rooms and steam parboil the victim to the proper degree. Then he is taken in charge by expert rubbers and masseurs. •A corps of dusk negro bath attendants is on hand to take the Congressman in charge. A dozen or more resting-rooms, fitted up with cots and pneumatic mattresses, provide restful retreats for tired lawmakers who want to forget the cares of the State in peaceful slumber. "And it's all free, sah," says the colored bathsuperintendent. Next to the American legislator the French M.P. is, perhaps, the best off. He is paid £360 per annum, and a grateful country provides him with salons, library, etc. He gets his stationer}' gratis; excellent cigars, especially manufactured for him, at reduced prices; and during the session ma}' eat and drink freely, and almost gratuitously. Should he fall ill, the State doctor attends him; while on payment of an annual fee of £2, the members of both Chambers are allowed to travel free of charge on the French railways. His umbrella is mended free, and he can always depend on being promptly served, for there is one attendant to every two members. Altogether, each deputy costs France over £SOO per annum.

In Belgium, too, members of Parliament have the right of travelling free on all the State railways; while adequate travelling expenses are also allowed'by the Swedish and Norwegian Parliaments. Members of Parliament in Italy, too, though receiving no payment for their services, are allowed to travel free throughout the country, either by rail or steamer.

Apropos of the continued agitation for the payment of M.P.'s in this country, it might be mentioned that the scale of payment for members in the British colonies is as follows:—Canada, £SOO for the session; Australia, £4OO a year; New Zealand, £3OO a year: Tasmania, £IOO a year; West Australia, £2OO a year; South Australia, £2OO a rear; Queensland, £3OO a year; New South Wales, £3OO a year;* Victoria, £3OO a year.

With regard to other foreign countries, members of the Austrian Lower House receive 16s 8d per dav; members of both Houses in Denmark, (is 8d a day; Prussia, inclusive of travelling expenses, 15s a day; Greece, £72 per session: Norway, 13s 4d per day; and Sweden lis per day.