TRAVELLING M.P.'S.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 263, 5 November 1932, Page 18

TRAVELLING M.P.'S.

AUCKLANDERS X.EAD. ' COST OVER £150 ANNUALLY. ,] (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. With a smile, Sir Apirana Ngata, Minister in Charge of the Legislative Department, informed the House yesterday that from the point of view of the cost of railway travel, the most expensive members were those from Auckland. The Minister said the average 'amount of £92 10/ annually for each member waa charged to the Legislative vote for the payment of railway fares. While there were some members who had little or no travelling to do, there were others, who had a. good deal. Auckland members travelled up and down the Main Trunk at most week-ends. ~ It " was necessary for them to do so in order to attend to their business. In their case the charge worked out at between £150 and £200 each annually. The Minister said allowances .would have to be made in ordinary businesses for extraordinary circumstances, .and rin connection with the most important business in the country, due allowances should be made. The public did not appear sufficiently to appreciate the difficulties of members regarding their attendance. *• r f