INCREASE NOT LIKELY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 17, 31 October 1933, Page 3

INCREASE NOT LIKELY

PARLIAMENTARIANS* SALARIES. CPer Presß Association). WELLINGTON, October 30. , New Zealand members of -Parliament are not likely to follow the Australian precedent and give themselves an increase in salary. JSevertheless, New Zealnad members are taking keen interest in the decision of the Commonwealth Parliament that its members are entitled to a further £75 per annum, making the total annual payment to each £S7S. Although in many respects members lose touch with puulic feeling,' they know too well what the reaction would be to a move to increase their salaries. Before such a step could be contemplated, they would -have to restore to the Public Service, at least, the last two 10 per cent. cuts. They also remember the public resentment of the bonus of £IOO which they voted themselves in 1929.

To-day, a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives receives £365 a year, and members of the Legislative Council each get £255. With" the exception of South Australia and Tasmania, members of the New Zealand House of Representatives receive less pay than do members of the Australian State Parliaments—institutions that do not possess half the power or responsibility of the New Zealand Parliament. Members of both New Zealand Houses had their year of plenty in 1920 when the honoraria were the largest ever paid—£soo to members, ot the" House of Representatives and £JoU to the "Lords." Members of the House of Representatives, who, for many years, had been paid £3OO per annum got an increase of £2OO ill 1920, but successive 10 per cent, cuts in IMI, 1932 and 1933 brought it down to £3OO, but few members would vote for an increase ill face of public opinion.