SHARING OF SALARIES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21715, 24 February 1936, Page 12

SHARING OF SALARIES

LABOUR MINISTRY AND MEMBERS

Statement by the hon. w nash

U'HKo.S ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, February 22. Some details, of the salary-sharing i scheme lor Ministers and Labour members, described by Ministers as one of the most remarkable and inspiring developments in connexion with the advent of the Labour Government, were given to a reporter to-day by the Minister for Finance (the Hon. W. Nash). "First originating two years ago among the members of the party in Parliament, the scheme was considered by the annual conference of the party last year," said Mr Nash, "and in moving the adoption of the pro-posal-Mr M. J. Savage, MP., the present Prime Minister, said that in the event of securing a majority at the next general election, steps would be taken by the party to give every elected Labour member who is willing to give his or her full time to the Government of the country an opportunity to play a first-hand part in shaping and administering legislation. "Following this decision the caucus which concluded yesterday completed the detailed procedure for distribution of salaries. In accord with the original statement of the Prime Minister, no additional cost will be placed on the Government. The actual sum at, present provided on the Civil List for the 54 Labour members of Parliament and Ministers attached to the Government will be shared, evq?y member participating. The Prime Minister and other Ministers take certain shares, the remaining members receiving a slightly lesser amount."

Details of Scheme

Mr Nash was asked: "How.will you provide for the extra cost of hospitality and entertainment which must fall on the Prime Minister?" The Minister replied: "There will be a grant from the pool of a special allowance of £250 at thp disposal of the Prime Minister for this purpose." "How about members who have other incomes? Are these incomes all taken into account?"

"Yes," replied Mr Nash, "but whilst pooling is based on full-time work for Parliamentary or Government duties some members have other duties for which they receive payment. Thess* sums for work performed will be taken into account." On being asked how much the Prime Minister would lose, Mr Nash said*. "If you asked the Prime Minister that question he would answer, 'I do not lose anything! My objective,' the Primo Minister would say, 'and the objective of every member of the Gov ernment i»» the building of a co-opera-tive system in which the standard of living of those who have suffered so much is raised, and whilst the money factor must be considered, the restor' ing of decent conditions for the unem* ployed, pensioners, and others must come first!' That would be the answer of the Prime Minister," said Mr Nash.

How Money will be Shared

Mr Nash said the proposals would operate as from the opening of the next financial year—ttiat was April 1 next.

"The readjustment means," said Mr Nash, "that the Prime Minister actually receives £7OO less than the sum provided on the Civil List, and the other Ministers from £4OO to £SOO per annum less, whilst the incomes of the ordinary members will be increased by slightly more than £IOO per annum, the implications nil the~- time being that every participating member •devotes his whole time to the job—the job is building a good standard for everybody, particularly those who have suffered during the last five years. The caucus of. the Labour party concluded last evening.