THE GOVERNOR'S SALARY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9824, 25 July 1900, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR'S SALARY.

Proposed Increase Discussed In The House.

The Bill Read A 'Second Time. [per press association.] Wellington, Last night.

-"At the evehjng sitting of the House of 'Representatives yesterday the Premier .moved the secodu reacting of the Governor's Salary ana Al owances Bill. He stated that when the Governor's salary was reduced it was <2oCe to meet a temporary At that time the colony was in a »tai eof depression, which had now passed away, and looking at the condition of the colony now, and comparing its status with the other colonies, He considered that lbe Governor's salary should revert to the amount at whioh it stood before reduction. Compared with the salaries paid to the Governors in the 'Other colonies, on a population basis, the salary paid to the Governor of New Zealand was too meagre. No doubt under federation State Governors' salaries wouH be reduced, but on the other hand the Governor would, he believed, !be paid not less i han £12,000 or £15,000. By paying a low salary 'here was a limited field for the selection of a suitable man. He knew that the low salary •had prevented one man, who was othervwise well qualified, from a2cepting the position. He trusted the motion would be carried unanimously, and that the debate would be of such a character as would redound to the credit of the

House. Mr M'Laugblan said he wotild utter ■his protest against) the proposed increase. He was surprised at the Premier, who posed as a Democrat, proposing such a measure. If the salary was increriser! volunteers and artillerymen would receive an increase in pay, and how was the farmer to p»y that at the present price of grain? The salary of the Governor could not be said 1 o be only • he monetary sum he drew, &v the privileges pertaining to the office were very ample. Mr Monk considered the condition of the colony was worse at the present Lime than when the salary was reduced. Ho dissented altogether from the reasons advanced by the Premier for an increase of salary. The prosperity of the colony had been over-rated, and was due greatly to the constant introduction of borrowed money. There was absolute need of economy in the public expenditure. Mr Collins warned the Premier that his action in this ma l ter was calculated to destroy his influence with the party that had kept him in power. He contended that the salary at present paid was quite equal to that paid by the other Austra- . Han colonies.

Mr G. W. Russell complained that the Premier's advocacy of the measure was one of exaltation of rank and pedigree, in defiance of what he considered to be the true democratic sentiment in the colony. He contended that, as a democratic colony, the best way of rewarding a public man who spent his life in the service of the colony was to open to th*m such offices as the Governorship of the colony. Captain Russell ridiculed the interpretation of democracy given by the two previous speakers. Taking the men who from first to last had filled the position of Governor, they liad, apart altogether from their rank or titles proved themselves first-class men. It should be borne in miud that the duties of Governor were very exacting from the fact that the colony was divided into four Sarge centres, where the Governor carried out official ar'd social duties. It was unlike any Australian colony. The cost of moving from place to place was very large, but he believed in the practice of his so mixing with the people, finding out for himself ihe wants, resources and condition of the colony. He asserted that he knew for a fact that every Governor in the colony for th« pact 15 or 20 years had spent double he amount of his salary, and tha , * they had lef c theruolony poorer men than they were when they came f> it.

Mr Horns by thought the amount by which the salary was proposed to be increased was too treat, and while voting for the second reading, he would, when the measure got into committee, move to reduce the amount.

Mr Buddo did not measure his loyalty by his vote for an increase in the Governor's salary, and would oppose the second reading. Mr Smith said he would support the motion.

Mr Pirani blamed the Premier for introducing the personal element into the discussion. Personally he thought £5000 a year quite euough for the Governor of this colony. The main objection to the proposal was that the House was not in a position to judge as to whether the colony could afford an increase, and that in any case any increase or reduction ■should not apply to the present occupant of the office.

Mr Fisher eulogised the manner in which the present occupant of Government House carried out his duties, and hoped the House would not stint itself in regard to the proposed increase. -Mr Tanner opposed the proposal. Mr Wilford supported the measure, but reserved the right in committee to alter the sum named in the.bill.

Mr Meredith was surprised at what he characterised as the conspiracy cf silence regarding the bill shown by the Opposition. Were the increase to be of benefit to the Governor and family he would not object, but he was of opinion it would lead to a continuance of the spurious aristocracy in Wellington. But while the price of produce was so low aud the Customs duties so high, he could not see his way to support the bill. Mr J. Hutcheson opposed the measure. Had the bill stood alone it might have met with more support, but evidently it was only one of a series of proposals for an increase in salaries. It was intended to increase Ministers' salaries, the AgentGenaral's salary was to be increased, and members' honorariums were now also considered too small. The colony was .not in a position to stand the increases. As to the contention of some members that the Governor should be elective, he considered that the day this occurred the painter would be irrevocably cut from the Empire, and a republic pure and simple be established in the colony. Mr Hall believed the majority of Governors who come to the colony did net do so for the salary granted, but for the honor of the position. There were many people in the colony in the receipt of inadequate salaries who should first be considered. Mr E. G. Allen supported the bill, and felt sure he could satisfy hia constituents that he had done right. Mr J- Allen moved an amendment that, the debate be adjourned until some conclusion had been arrived at as to. the financial position of the colony. Until the House was in possession of the true financial position o? the colony members •were not prepared to decide upon the matter. Before being asked to decide upon the bill the House should know What reduction was to be made in tht

Customs duty and other taxes. Until he was satisfied upon these points he could not vote for the second reading of the bill.

Mr Ward said it wonld almost appear as if the mover of the amendment wished to make a direct vote upon the question. The amendment was merely moved to burke the main issue, and he contended that every member sliouW be called upon to give a direct voteVipou the question. ,He recalled the condition of the country *n 1887, when the reduction of the Governor's salary took place, a period of general depression. He contended that the duties of the Governor were not so light, as some people stated. They had responsible duties to perform, and on their proper or improper carrying out a great deal depended. It was not an issue as to democracy or aristocracy, but one rather that having a Governor, whether he should or should noc have a salary sufficient to carry out with dignity the manifold duties, social and otherwise, ! not only cast upon, but demanded of him. The Governor by his action during the trouble which the Empire had lately undergone, had helped to raise New Zealand to the front rank amouget British colonies. As to the financial position of thd colony the Government had not gone upon the London market for the last million loan, for the reason that the time was not opportune, but it redounded much to the administration of its affairs that the Government had been able to carry on, and meet all its obligations without recourse to the London market. Mr Massey said that until Mr Ward spoke he intended to vote for the second reading of the bill. After hearing that speech he would vote for the amendment, while if it reached the committee stage he would support a moderate increase. Mr W. Eraser intended to support the seconding of the bill. Mr Ell intended to have voted against the second reading of the bill, but as the amendment was framed to obtain a parf;y advantage he would oppose it. Me Hogg supported the bill. Mr R. M'Kenzie supported the second reading of the bill, and considered it derogatory to the dignity of the House the manner in which some members carried on the debate. The amendment was lost by 48 to 12. On the motion that the bill be read a second time the Premier replied that it was not right that a Governor should be called upon to draw upon his private means to support his position. On the question beiDg put, the second reading was carried by 43 to 15. j Thia day.

The following voted against the second reading of the Governor's Salary and Allowances Bill (15) :— Atkinson, Buddo, Collins, Ell, J. Hutcbeson, Laurenson, Lewis, Meredith, Monk, Pirani, G. W. Russell, Symes, Tanner; R. Thompson, J. W. Thomson.