Demands On Politicians

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31307, 1 March 1967, Page 16

Demands On Politicians

Sir, —If the Electoral Amendment Act, 1965, now law, provides four more Parliamentary seats in the 1969 elections, and is to involve the Surveyor-General, the Government Statistician, the Chief Electoral Officer, the Director-General of the Post Office, nominees from both Opposition and Government, and independent chairman at a time when our financial resources are severely strained, I suggest the time has come for a little repealing. Another Royal Commission—on Parliamentary Salaries and Allowances was gazetted yesterday. In the light of preelection denials, e.g., on the economic situation, on the possibility of increased military aid to Vietnam, and of subsequent reconsideration, would someone with his ear close to the Parliamentary grounds confirm or deny the seismological rumblings of a pay increase for politicians, before instead of after the eruption. T. E..SANSON. Hokitika, February 27,. 1967.

Sir, —“A. B. Cedarian” need not accept my point of view, but I do appeal to him to understand what I am saying. The point he has missed is a simple one—and vital to me. I cannot feel my share of the collective guilt Bishop Warren would press upon us. I feel proud of politicians who sacrifice longevity for filial duty. They are the remembered ones. Imposed guilt is phoney guilt. If a man shows the kind of love that lays down life for his friends, be proud. He helps build a better world. Real guilt can be dealt with—and here, as in the sphere of self-giving service, the Christian faith makes a unique contribution. I cannot answer now all “A. B. Cedarian’s” irrelevancies, but I ask him to check from recent history the accuracy of his statement that community benevolence and presidential bodyguards prevent murder. —Yours, etc., CHAPLAIN. February 28, 1967.

Sir,—While agreeing with Bishop Warren that the strain of Ministrial duties no doubt hastened the death of Mr Lake and probably undermined the health of Mr Marshall and others, I suggest that the glamour,and perks that go with the position still make it attractive. One recently-elected local member has been trying for years to get elected. Another mem* ber who considered himself eligible for promotion,' publicly voiced his disapproval at being passed over. I spent an afternoon in the House last session. By 3 p.m. the Chamber was half-empty. Three members slept all afternoon, and the only time one showed any sign of consciousness was when the evening paper was delivered. He then read the headlines and dropped off, again.—Yours, etc., JOE SOAP. February 28, 1967.