M.P.s’ salaries

Press, 30 August 1979, Page 16

M.P.s’ salaries

Sir. — I see your editorial (August 28) as a blatant -apology for the latest salary rises for the Prime Minister, other top-flight officials, etc. I might have given the article a more sympathetic judgment had it not been a more or less direct contradiction to your editorial, “Price of living wage claim,” of July 11, “I» a Member o f Parliament worth $21,000?” That would depend on what he contributes to the welfare of the whole nation. Mr Muldoon, in particular, is definitely not worth his extra $6OOO plus. You, like he, call for real effort and restraint on behalf of wage and salary earners. Why is this impossible to apply to the professionals? Tax or no tax, they should set an example of practice what they preach; was it not the great man himself who recently said, “we must all pull together if we are to survive?” I am now off to spend our 22c in riotous living — Yours, etc., ARTHUR MAY. August 28, 1979. Sir, — I would like to ask the chiefs of private industry if any of them would be interested in paying this new salary to, say, the Minister of Transport or any other member of Parliament? — Yours, etc., RICHARD MORTEN. August.2B. 1979. Sir, — Your editorial on politicians’ salaries (August 28) ignores the interesting fact that many seats are so sate that any politician representing constituents in those areas has an assured handsome income for a life-time in politics. The private incomes that many members of Parliament also have, certainly emphasises the point that money need not be the reason for anyone entering thfe political arena. How unfortunate it is then that members of Parliament always accept pay rises without demur, though computers, with realism would bring about a more equitable life form for all people in regard to wealth. — Yours, ROSIE WITTY. August 28, 1979. ”