The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1919. THE PARLIAMENTARY HONORARIUM.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1919. THE PARLIAMENTARY HONORARIUM.

The resolution passed by the House on Wednesday night as to the insufficiency of the present honorarium, and the need for a superannuation scheme, will cause no surprise. It is generally recognised that, apart from the lessened purchasing power of the standard currency, and the increased cost of living, the present grant of £3OO a year is neither a fitting recompense for the services performed by members, nor consonant with the dignity of the office. The matter is one that should be viewed on broad and sound principles, and not in the light of whether this member or that is not worthy of his hire. In theory a member is chosen by the people of his electoral district, but, as is well known, the practice is for anyone who pleases to secure a nomination, and try to induce a majority to vote for him. In the end the result is the same, so"there should be a distinct desire on the part of the people that the pen they have chosen to represent them in Parliament should not be called upon to make greater financial sacrifices than are absolutely unavoidable. With the present honorarium there can be no question that the majority of'members suffer pecuniary loss, many of them to a considerable extent, especially when attendance in Parliament and at various parts of the electorate necessarily takes them from their business or profession, which must suffer accordingly. The demands on the time »nd pockets of members grow year by year, and though the honorarium is not intended to represent the value of continuous services throughout the year, most members find their constituents expect them to be always at their service—in session and out of session—so that the business men especially have a very strenuous time and make sacrifices that should not, be expected of them. It seems to be evident that best administrative brains of the country are to be attracted to Parliament, there must be a more adequate recognition of the value of the services rendered. The resolution passed by the House makes no mention of the amount which is [ considered fitting for payment to jnembers, tha inference

tliat it should be sufficient to enable them to live in reasonable comfort, and be commensurate witli their legislative responsibilities. A declaration of this broad principle meets the case, it being left to the next Parliament to fix the amount of increase. It is recommended, also, that the question of superannuation be eonsid-1 ered at the same time "so that men who have given many years of service to the State may not find themselves, in the evening of their life, insufficiently provided for." There has been some talk of increasing the honorarium to £4OO, but it would seem more politic to make the amount £SOO, out of which £SO might be deducted for superannuation, and £SO regarded as for electoral and other kindred expenses. The move is one that has not been any too soon, and "it should meet with general approval, So long as there is Government by the people for the people, those who take part therein should receive a fitting remuneration. Whether or not increased pay will attract the sound, business men who are so much needed just now need not be considered, although it is to be hoped it may. The honor of the Dominion requires that its members of Parliament shall receive something more than a nominal sum, and it may safely be left to the new Parliament to say what the amount shall be.