Parliamentary Salaries

Press, Volume C, Issue 29624, 21 September 1961, Page 3

Parliamentary Salaries

Sir, —I can tell Mr Croskery that old-age pensioners have done more for their country than the present members of Parliament are doing. They built hydro works fot one shilling an hour under dangerous conditions. Nine were killed in building Waitaki. They worked on forestry for 8s 9d a week. Forestry is now paying big dividends. They built Lewis Hass road to Reefton at 10s a week. Now when they are too old to enjoy big wages. Mr Croskery would deny them a few crumbs from the rich man’s table.—Yours, etc., FAR BACK DAN. September 19, 1961.

Sir, “Disillusioned Nationalist's” letter, in spite of his pen name, is scarcely a criticism let alone a justifiable one of the Nationalist Government. I note that he maintains that “Labour M.P.’s support some of Marx's teaching but do not accept the Communist interpretation of it.” As “Disillusioned Nationalist” claims to be so familiar with these M.P.’s we must accept his statement, he would know. Would Messrs Macfarlane, Mathison and Kirk and Miss Howard publicly confirm through your columns that they embrace Marxism. “Disillusioned Nationalist” is unable to grasp what is apparent to most people that Marxism means totalitarianism. Ask the East Germans forbidden to leave their country or the Tibetans sterilised by the Marxist Chinese. It is incredible to think that they 'would agree with “Disillusioned Nationalist” that politicians imbued with Marxism (I now (Juote “Disillusioned Nationalist”) “will study the welfare of the taxpayers and workers.”—Yours, etc., • DISILLUSIONED FORMER LABOUR SUPPORTER. September 20, 1961.

Sir,—Moved by National, and seconded by Labour, that all politicians shall receive an increase in salaries; carried unanintously. No thought whatsoever of the financial mess in which the politicians have landed this country, or any consideration for the long-suffering taxpayers. This is another example illustrating that there is no difference between National and Labour.—Yours, etc., POOR VALUE FOR OUR . MONEY. September 1A 1961.