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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3257, 9 December 1881, Page 2

Speaking at Picton recently, Mr E. T. Conolly said the amount ot honorarium paid to members was excessive, and he was in favor of cutting down one-half the present amount. In the House of Representatives, members were orginally paid a guinea per da}', amounting to £90 or £100 per session. The idea was that members should be allowed their expenses and their expenses only, while serving tbeir country, and he must say that in those days they had a very superior House to the present. The deterioration of the House commenced with the increase of tbe honorarium. It was said that with the £l perday there was a temptation to members to spin out the session ; and so, to be delivered from temptation, a fixed sum of £100 was agreed upon, which he thought was a very fair amount. At the time of abolition there was an exceptionally long session, and the amount was doubled, being raised to 200 guineas per annum ; in fact tbey had gradually been converting tbe House into what might be termed a " billet." There were men in tbe House who could not have earned £'200 in a whole year, and now pot it for four months, having the remaining eight to pick up what they could in. He would let the House be open to the rich man and the poor man alike. Let it be open to every man of integrity and ability, but do not let it become so reduced as to be looked upon as a sort of refuge. On tbe grounds be had stated he would vote for reducing the amount of the honorarium to the old standard.