FIRST ITEM OF ESTIMATES

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 146, 21 June 1916, Page 3

FIRST ITEM OF ESTIMATES

ONLY BBJBFLY DISCUSSED

The first item on the Estimates was the vote of £1950 (salaries and other charges connected with the Legislative Council).

Mr. G. Witty, asked that in view of the formation of the National Cabinet, a return should be provided showing the expenditure in regard to the remuneration for the extoa Ministers.

The Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald replied that he would have a return prepared, as he could not say just at the moment what the incidental expenses were. The Hon. A. T. Ngata in the course of a short speech in good-humoured vein, referred to tho manner in which the Ministry had been taken by surprise. The fact that copies of the Estimates had been handed round in such a hurried manner, showed that the Ministry was not prepared for wnat had happened. (Laughter.) "We have made masterly progress," remarked Mr. Ngata. "It is doubtful if Parliament has made such remarkable progress before." (Laughter.) The Budget had passed without criticism, and in order to give the Ministry a chance to recover from the shock rfc had received he would move that progress be reported. (Further laugh-, ter.) A fortnight's work had been saved, and he , congratulated the members on the other side of the House, and also the members on his side of the House, who no doubt had been prepared to criticise the Budget very keenly. (More merriment.) Something had happened; probably the war' with Mexico had upset arrangements. (Laughter).

The Hon. Mr. Mac Donald said that a great many guns had been loaded, and a great many had misfired. He hoped that if progress were to be reported that real progress would bs made, and the first item passed. s In support of a, suggestion made by Mr. G. W. Forbes that the Minister of Education should receive remuneration for his services ; Mr. G. J. Anderson said that l.hfi Minister was in control of £1,500,000 worth of taxation, and he wa.3 . certainly entitled to some recompense. ■ Mr. L! M. Isitt also urged that some relief should be given to the Minister in the way of salary. The Hon.' Mr. Mac Donald reminded members that the first item had nothing to do with the salary of the Minister. After Mr. M'Combs had accorded his support to the proposal, the'first item was passed. The Prime Minister then moved to report progress, and the House, at 7.55 p.m., adjourned until the following day.