CABINET MINISTERS’ PAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 May 1922, Page 5

CABINET MINISTERS’ PAY.

NEW SOUTH WALES CONTROVERSY reductions agreed to By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyrigni. Received May 3, 7.30 pjn. Sydney, May 3. In the Assembly there was a heated battle over the Ministere* Salaries Reduction Bill, which ended in the Government accepting an amendment by Mr. Bruxmer (leader of the Progressive Party) fixing the total amount allotted as Ministers’ salaries at £lB,OOO instead of £20,000 as proposed by the Government. The amendment was carried on the voices. In the meantime, Mr. McGirr’s amendment to make the allotment £16,000 has been defeated. The Treasurer announced the allot | ment as follows: Premier, £2000; At torney -General £1600; Vice-President of the Executive Council, £900; and nine Ministers £l5OO each. With frequent applications of the gag, against which strong protests were entered, the Bill was taken through its remaining ’ stages and sent to the Council. The proceedings throughout were of a very < acrimonious character. The sordid squabbles in Parliament and temporising the Government over reductions caused painful public feeling and much sarcastic Press and private comment. The Labor Party was directly opposed to the reductions, but the bulk of the other members were pledged to them. It is evident, however, that very few regarded them in a kindly spirit and were determined to make the best possible terms. The pleas of poor members dependent on their salaries and even the poor members’ wives* letters in the Press were strongly urged and the Government found itself in a tight place between the recalcitrants of its own party and the Progressive eection determined on obtaining its pound of flesh for any support given, and was compelled to surrender on several points to avert a possible defeat. The Ministers’ fight over their own salaries proved the hottest part of th© battle. Besides placing them in anything but a favorable light it disclosed that a strong cave existed and it had. a. very tricky house to handle. On th® whole the cave decidedly scored in th® first encounter. —Aus.-N-Z. Cable Assn.