MINISTERS’ EXPENSES

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 298, 13 September 1941, Page 11

MINISTERS’ EXPENSES

Cost Of Travel Outside New Zealand Information about a sum of £lO,OOO provided in the estimates of the Department of Internal, Affairs for travelling expenses of Ministers, their wives and under-secretaries was sought by Mr. Doidge (Opposition, Tauranga). Mr. Doidge asked whether the sum included the expenses of Ministers on trips overseas. “We would like to know if this sum covers the expenses of Ministers outside the Dominion,” he said. “If it does, what was the cost of sending Ministers to Australia and the United States? Is the Minister of Lands coming home soon, or is he on military duties and will his seat not be contestable at the general election? Those on the Socialist benches waxed, eloquent and angry when the Opposition, as the Government, sent Ministers overseas, but now we have a Minister who has been away for many months.” A reply was made by Mr. Parry that the expenses of the visit of the two Ministers to the United States were a charge on the War Expenses Account. Mr. Doidge had not suggested whether Ministers travelled too much or otherwise. Mr. Langstone’s Mission. Mr. Doidge: I put out an inquiry whether the Minister of Lauds was stiff in the land of the living. Mr. Parry said Mr. Langstone was still in America and, he understood, was doing very good work on behalf of the Dominion. Mr. Broadfoot: Did you give him a return ticket? Mr. Doidge: Is he coming back for the election? The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland: Has he been appointed permanently? Replying to Mr. Doidge, Mr. Parry said the Minister would be back in good time, and when he returned he would give a good account of his visit. Dealing with the question of ministerial travelling, he said the expenses not much variation over a long period of years. He had the figures from 1920.