POOLED SALARIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 264, 7 November 1935, Page 10

POOLED SALARIES.

LABOUR PARTY INTENTIONS.

MINISTERS AND BOARDS.

Criticising the number of boards at present in existence in New Zealand, Mr. A. S. Richards, Labour candidate for Roskill, told Mount Albert electors last night that the Labour party had decided that if they were placed on the Treasury benches they would abolish them. The members most fitted for the work would be given Ministerial posts, and other members would be organised under their leadership to take control of the various Departments. Ministerial salaries would be pooled and shared evenly among them.

"How many boards are there?" asked a voice. Another Voice: Enough to build a house. The present position as regards boards was a disgrace to New Zealand, said Mr. Richards. Twenty-nine members of boards set up by the Government were at present drawing £33,397 per annum. An Interjector: Do they get free milk for their children. (Laughter.) As a contrast to that salary bill Mr. Richards said that 70 members of Parliament drew £26,740, and with the ten Ministers' salaries, £10,000, it was brought to a total of £36,740 for the 80 members. Some people said that the number of members in Parliament should be reduced, but if they were he could see the moneyed interests "ua-ing a big influence. "There's a lot of truth in the old saying 'There's safety in numbers,'" he said.