Bellamy’s

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 286, 29 August 1931, Page 9

Bellamy’s

Sir, —A few days ago you commented in a sub-leader upon the question of economy in legislative’ expenses, and you suggested that in all probability Parliament as at present constituted would not vote for any abrogation of the members’ privileges. / The public ought to realise that year after year Parliament votes a large sum to cover the cost of Bellamys, the administration of which incurs annually a loss of many thousands of pounds in providing hospitality for the members and their relatives and friends at less than a third of the actual cost. No balance-sheets are forthcoming, and no attention is called to the matter, so that the members of all parties meet upon common ground without a single dissentient in voting away the taxpayers’ money to pay for their food. It has even been said that on occasions bad debts are made on account of guests who fail to pay their accounts. Is it too much to hope that at the forthcoming election candidates may be found who will pledge themselves to remedy this unbecoming position?—l am, etc., AUDIT. Wellington, August 24.