"CHIEF'S SHADOW."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 186, 7 August 1936, Page 9

"CHIEF'S SHADOW."

THE UNDER-SECRETARY.

CIVIL LIST BILL READING,

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Thursday,

The reason why the Government, proposed to appoint Parliamentary undersecretaries was made clear in the House of Representatives to-day by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, when moving that the Civil List Amendment Bill be read a ; second time. . Mr. Savage said the Government had a job to do and wanted to do it now— not 10 years hence. They did' not wish to keep on postponing things and "looking into things until the undertaker comes." „ - . Under-seeretaries would also have to possess a knowledge of the things to be done. Provision ' was made for under-secretaries to remain in office after an election until the return of the writs, although they would vacate office if they ceased to be members of either House. Mr. Savage said that an under-secre-tary would work under the direction of a Minister, and in no case would the appointment of an under-secretary deprive a Minister of any of his powers or functions. Working under direction an under-secretary,.was 1 merely a shadow of. his chief. - * Explaining the clause which provides for an increas-ed number of paid Ministers without increasing ,the total salaries, the Prime Minister said that., under the Civil List, 10 Ministers and the Prime Minister were provided for. The bill made provision for another one. The Government had eleven Ministers with portfolios in addition to the Prime Minister and one of the Ministers was not provided for in the Civil List, and the bill rectified that. In his reply to criticism from the Opposition later in the afternoon, the Prime Minister said that the Government was going ahead "all the way" with a housing scheme, and a man was required who could supply some vision and energy to the task. He would be an under-secretary. The question of cost had been raised. An ordinary member of • Parliament received £450 a year, and the bill made provision for a salary of £600. an additional £150. As far as he could see ihe time being the Government would be appointing one under-secretary, so that the "tremendous" burden would be £150.

The second reading was challenged, but was carried by 43 to 13.