MEMBERS’ SALARIES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 70, 15 December 1928, Page 10

MEMBERS’ SALARIES

THE SUGGESTED INCREASE PRESS OPINIONS The suggestion (hat the salaries of members of Parliament should be increased, is being discussed editorially by the Press throughout the Dominion. “Sheer Effrontery.” The Auckland “Suu” deals with the question as follows : — “Judged by the general level of its mediocrity, the last Parliament had no claim to an increased salary for its members. Possibly it was a recognition of its shortcomings that dictated a certain modest diffidence iu any remarks it passed upon the subject. Now, we have a Parliament that is taking no risk of being discovered in default. It is making its bid for increased salaries at a very early stage of its career. In case its true worth prove later to fall below its own generous assessment, it is taking no chances, and it will probably pride itself upon its courageous outlook. The electors, also, will be inclined to admire its courage, but they will regret its expression through a proposition that amounts to sheer effrontery. A Parliament that meets in such peculiar circumstances, and at once sets about to find a means of increasing its own remuneration, lacks nothing in audacity. The legislators undertaking tins coup are quite likely to succeed. All they need is a majority iu their own Chamber, and since members of Parliament are like other people, and hesitate to reject a good thing when it is offered them, they should have no difficulty in getting it. The proposal will then go before the Legislative Council, which is now under the. leadership of the Hon. T. K. Sidey; and as Mr. Sidey was the man who came forward, in the recess, in support of the plea for more pay for members, it is scarcely likely that the Council would offer serious opposition. It might, should the spirit of avarice spread, even attempt a little delicate bargaining. There is not a solitary member in the present Parliament who was sent there, with a direct mandate to increase Parliamentary salaries. Just before the last session closed; Mr. J. G. Eliott, of Orona, mntle- a speech in the Honst. in the course of-which he affirmed very definitely that .the salaries were too low. He said he would continue to tight for higher salaries And the answer of his.constituents was—his defeat. Mr. Eliott paid the price ■ of his recklessness in advocating a proposition that would be unpopular at any time, nnd doubly unpopular at a period when it is felt that the country has not yet fully recovered from the effects of a serious depression. One of the reasons why Parliament is attractive, why few men who have been there as members retire from it voluntarily, is the excellent conditions tinder which members transact their business. Parliament Building is something more than the headquarters of the Dominion s legislative system—it is the best-appoint-ed club in -New Zealand. Everything that makes for personal comfort is there. I he bathrooms are unrivalled in any hotel m the country. The members’ club is cosy, secluded, and exclusive. Non-members are absolutely barred. The library is one of the best in the world. The meals at Bellamy’s are good—and cheap; and the liquor, for those who want it, is also good —and cheap. These are some reasons why members like to stay in Parliament once they are there. The period of active legislative work rare!v covers more than four months in n yean Admittedly, there are many calls on a member’s time in the recess: but few do not have the time to devote to some private business or other. With the present .salary of £4»>o a yea.r,. many .01 the members are already receiving better pay. and enjoying greater privileges, than they would receive in private life. A greater sense of modesty among our meinbers of Parliament seems to be called lor. "Not Becoming.” “.Members of the new Parliament have not been slow about putting their heads together with 11 view to securing an increase of their salaries.” comments the ■•Otago Times.” ■•Having discussed the matter in conclave they have already approached Sir Joseph Ward in deputation on the subject, and he has apparently replied to them in very favourable and comforting terms. In the absence of circumstances thn.t would require that this matter should be treated as of most pressing importance the disposition appears to lie Io push if through with nnncecssiiry alacrity." After admitting the arguments to lie mil forward in favour of an increase, the article concludes‘ "It is not becoming tliat a I nrliament just elected should show anything approaching a spirit of avidity in respect of the payment that is made to members. It may be questioned whether any Parliament should increase the emoluments of its own members. These nienttwrs were elected nn the basis and un-dets'-nnding that they should be naid salaries on the existing scale. Have they, therefore, any immediate' ground

of complaint? The proposal to raise the salaries of legislators should fittingly operate from the beginning of the next Parliament. Should the electors disapprove of it they would then have an opportunity of indicating that disapproval before it came into effect.” Ministers Worth More.

While agreeing tliat Ministerial office should be more highly rewarded, the Christchurch "Press” adds: “The position of the private member is greatly different from Hint of a Minister. His responsibilities are far smaller and narrower, the cull upon his industry and devotion is enormously less. His Parliamentary duties, engage his time tor only three months in (lie year. All this is recognised by the large disparity between his honorarium and n -Minister’s salary. A Minister is entitled to a salary, and a good one, but it is questionable whether a member'is entitled to any snlarv at all. although it is obviously right that his sessional expenses should be defrayed. If it could be shown tliat (lie present honorarium does not recoup the private member for his actual expenses, it ought to be increased. Whet tier that can be shown we do not certainly know. In any case, if any increase is made—and a majority, drawn from all parties, will probably favour an increase—it ought to be made clear that the change doos not involve any recognition of the idea that membership of Parliament should be a means of livelihood. The public will certainly approve of higher salaries for Ministers, but it is doubtful whether it would care for larger pomnents to members.” A Big Helping. “Members of Parliament assembled to settle Ihe slightly uncertain political situation of the country appear to have lost no time in laying their heads together in improve their own,” says the Christchurch "Suu.’' “Salaries are no more and no less the concern of the member, who is paid, than of the taxpayer, who. pays. For this reason the careful reticence, before and during the general election, so easily and soon dissolved after it, is distasteful : and this is the more emphatically so since months which were so mini and mum a few weeks ago are now opened so very wide. From £450 a year to £7oo—the helping is vustl.f- bigger. It is difficult to be certain how many members are considering it, and how seriously: but one thing is quite certain, that, the bigger the increase which members may vote themselves, the less pleasant will be the light in.which the whole episode will reveal itself to the electors of New Zealand.”