VICARIOUS ECONOMY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11102, 22 October 1901, Page 4

VICARIOUS ECONOMY.

The division list upon the introduction of the BUI increasing the payment of our members by- £60 per annum shows pretty clearly that there ia a vast amount of vicarious economy among our stipendiary patriots-. During the Financial Debate there was a vast amount of talk about the necessity for economy, and members announced their fixed determination to keep ■ our expenditure witaun reasonable bounds, and to resist steadily any increases on the Estimates. When the Estimates were 1 under discussion, too, such promises were amply redeemed. Increases were steadily contested even when they were in fulfil- l | ment of .promises or contracts on the part of [ 1 the colony. But it is interesting to note .the attitude of these sturdy economists when their own salaries were under discussion. Mr Millar, who set his face throughout' against any increases inj.salaries of £5500 and over per annum, unhesitatingly votes to increase his own from the rate of £720 to £900 a year, or from £240 to £300, for four months' attendance th Weilington. Mr Laureneon, who voted against increasing the salary of the Reader and Clerk of Bills and Papers from £160 to £175, demands an increase of £60 a year, over and above the sum ho "signed on for." 3lr Tanner, who may always be relied upon to vote in the cause of economy, ma&o the question of his own salary the one solitary exception which proves the rule.' Messrs Smith and Ell apparently walked out, and Messrs Buddo, Collins, Hardy, Meredith, Rhodes, and O. W.. Russell are the only Canterbury members who" opposed the introduction' of the measure. There is just one thing which in fairness must be said for 'those' who supported the introduction of the Bill. It is unusual tb throw out a measure until, at-any rate, : the second reading has .been' debated. We shall see how these gentlemen all vote when tho next stage of the measure is reached. We can promise them that the division -lists will be very closely scrutinised. i L__.