Mr E. M. Smith, member of the House of llnprcseniutive.s for New Plymouth, n strong mlvocate for retrenchment in the Government service and a "labour" representative, bus asked the Government "if they will bring in a Payment of Members Bill; and, if so, will they do so at as early a date as possible." He considered this question deserved the serious consideration of the Government, and should be attended to at once. He considered that the honorarium at present received was too low. In his opinion the honorarium should be brought back to what it was before tho reduction. In reply, Mr Ballance said the Government had not come to any decision on the question, but they would bo able to say later on whethor a Bill should bo brought in. In tho face of the fact that hon. members will receive full payment for two sessions this year, Mr Smith's question does not show a very evident desire on his part to effect much retrenchment in a matter that so nearly concerns himself. Many an unfortunate Civil servant whom the exigencies of a depleted Treasury has forced to accept a reduced pittance or starve, will read Mr Smith's question with very mingled feelings, to say tho least. Eeading in tlio light of history, as revealed in the short session in the beginning of the year, it is quite possiblo, nay highly "probable, that, should pressure be brought to bear upou the Government, they will bow to the inevitable and vote a substantial increase of pay to " their noble selves." Of course a certain number will go into the Opposition wholly for the sake of appearances; but care will, no doubt, be taken to leave a sufficient majority to carry the proposal. Perhaps the foremost part of the affair after all lies in the answer made by the Premier that, "the Government have not yet come to any decision on the question, but hope to be able to give an answer later on." Yes; no doubt tho question will be kept dangling before the eyes of tho needy and voracious •'politician of the period" until he gets savage and prepares to rend tho hand that keeps the spoil out of reach and then it will bo thrown him as a question of expediency not as a matter of right and so we " will bn all friends again."
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Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2963, 11 July 1891, Page 2
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397Untitled Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2963, 11 July 1891, Page 2
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