TRAVELLING ALLOWANCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 269, 23 March 1911, Page 3

TRAVELLING ALLOWANCE

DISCUSSION AT THE EDUCATION BOARD. The alterations in the new Act in regard to the payment of travelling expenses to members of education bourds formed the subject of considerable discussion at the Board's meeting yesterday. According to the old Act the Bourd had power to pay members reasonable travelling expenses. That is to say, the Board could vote the member a sum of money sufficient to cover any expenses that might reasonably he incurred. According to the new Act the Board can only re-imburse members the expenses "reasonably incurred and actually paid," and a declaration must be signed that the member "has not been already paid any sum and is not entitled to be paid any further sum in respect of the same travelling expenses by any other person or body corporate." In the case of a member using his own conveyance, sixpence per mile one way is the maximum charge that can made, •

Tlie question was brought forward by the chairman moving that the travelling allowance to members of the Board be paid according to the Education Amendment Act of 1010. His reason for bringing this forward was that be wanted to clear himself because he would' not be present at the close of the next financial year. The auditor would probably hot pass the present system. Mr. Cargill seconded pro forma. He could see no great difference between the old and the new Act as far as the actual amount of travelling expenses was concerned. Tlie only reason for the declaration was to prevent a member taking expenses from two different 'jodies for the same journey. Mr. Trimble could not see any difference in what they were doing "now, as both Acts allowed reasonable travelling! expenses.

Mr. Morton said there was a difference hitherto. It was legal for ttu< Board to pay travelling expenses that might reasonably be incurred. Under the new Act members could onlv be reimbursed tlie reasonable expenses actually paid. Mr. Cargill said the resolution could not be retrospective. No member could Ve expected to itemise his expenditure from January 1, 1911. Mr. Kennedy said personally he did not care whether the expenses were £5 or ss. He considered it an insult, li education boards were treated as they are now it would be better to resign in a body. Here was a body that was generally looked up to, and had the handling of £36,000, and yet they were not considered honest enough to state their travelling expenses in a lump sum, but must give them item by item. Personally, he would never sign a declaration nor give an item. Tlie chairman: Let's divide, and then you can do as you like. I only want to clear mvself.

Mr. Young: I don't want to clear you, Mr. Wade. I want you to be in it with the rest.

The motion was lost, only Mr. Trimble and the mover and seconder voting in favor of it.

Mr. Morton then moved that the Board pay travelling allowance to members as hitherto, the same being considered reasonable.—Seconded by Mr. Trimblq, and carried. A resolution was also carried on the motion of Messrs. Kennedy and Halcombe that the secretary write to otflei boards asking for their opinion and on what scale they are now paying their travelling expenses.