POSITION EXPLAINED

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 138, 11 June 1920, Page 8

POSITION EXPLAINED

REQUEST OF MEMBERS.

The above telegram was referred to the Prime Minister to-day, when Mr. Massey explained that the matter was originated by a deputation of members from all sides of the House of Representatives, which waited on him at the end of last session and asked that certain disabilities under which they suffered should be removed. The Government was able to put a number of these matters right. "The suggestion was made, by one of the members—l cannot remember for the moment who it was—that, so far as the ferry service between Wellington and Lyttelton was concerned, the Union Company would be willing to givemembers passes. Some time after that I met the managing director of the company—when I was travelling on one of the steamers, I think—and mentioned what had been suggested, and he replied >that he believed the directors would be quite willing to extend the passes in the way suggested. Late in February of this year I had a letter from the managing director of the company in which he' said he believed it was desirable that members of Parliament should be encouraged to visit every part of the Dominion. Therefore, the company intended to place members on the same footing travelling on the Wellington ferry. service as when on the railways. Passes would, therefore, be issued during the term of the present Parliament. I have since received a number of letters from members asking me to thank the Union Company for their courtesy." Mr. Massey added that for the past 20 years members had had the privilege of travelling during the session on the steamers at single rates for return fares. Parliament would take in hand during the coming session the question of the privileges and salaries of members, and he had no doubt this question would, then be dealt with. It has been the practice for the Government to pay the travelling expenses of members incurred in coming to Wellington at the beginning of the session and in returning home at the end of the session, but in the past southern members have had to bear ' the cost •of steamer farce when, going to or fronii their homes during the session.