Paying the Members

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 25, 18 June 1903, Page 18

Paying the Members

lln Great Britain, Italy. Geiinuny, and Spain, .Members of Parliament recene no pay as such. They enjoy the priMloge of .scr\inq- their country gratuitously and looking forward— if, Jik,e Mrs Gamp, they are 'so dispogod '—to political pickings or the crumbs of oflice that fall from the Minister's table It seems, however, from a motion brought forward a few weeks ago in the British House of Commons by Mr. Crooks. MP . that a campaign in favor of the payment of Membei s has b<-en decided upon An interesting leturn has been prepared by the Labor representatives in the House, lVom which tho following particulars are extracted :—: —

'In Canada members of both Houses arc allowed 10 dollars for each day's attendance, if the session does not extend beyond thirty days : if it does a sessional allowance of lo()0 dollars. In Newfoundland members ot the Council receive about £25 per session, and members of the Assembly from £40 to £(50, according to residence In (Jape- Colionyi there is a payment of a guinea for every day on which Parliament or any Committee sits, with 15s- for personal expenses ; and in Natal £.1 por day is given as "a travelling allowance." In Queensland members of the Legislative Assembly get £270 a \eai\ fz-ee railway passes and expenses ; and in Victoria £300 n. year. In New South Wales members of the Lower House arc allowed £300 a year. The- members of the Federal Charabeis, £400 a year. In addition, free rail-

way tickets are granted ; and in Sydney free rides ara Riven on the State tramway cars. In South and WeswZ £ us , tr£U , la he allowance is £200 a year ; and in New Zealand £200 for the Upper House, and £300 for the Lower House ; while in Tasmania members are rejmbursed for expenses to the amount of £50. In most of the European countries the practice is either to give an annual stipend or an allowance for each day's at tendance, as well *s free railway travelling. In Franco members both of the Senate and the Chamber, receive about £360 per annum.