THE HARDSHIP CLAUSE.

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1923, Page 7

THE HARDSHIP CLAUSE.

The "hardship clause" of the Publip Expenditure Adjustment Act was again under discussion in the House of Representatives early this, morning, when the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. T., M. Wilford) moved to reduce the salary of the General Manager of Railways by £9 as au indication that the clause should be put into operation. . Mr. A. L. Monteith (Wellington East) remarked that the Prime Minister had no right to come on to the floor of the House and try to bluff members. The Prime Minister: "You mustn't say that.". ■ ■ . Mr. Monteith: "It is no use the Prime Minister coming on to the ijoor of the House to try to mislead the House."Mr. Monteith quoted numerous instances where he said the "hardship clause" had not been made operative. This was nothing less than a scandal, and yet the Prune Minister said his heart'bled for these people. - The Prime Minister stated that a week or two ago he quoted from a document submitted to him by the Public Service Commissioner, through the Treasury regarding the operation of the "hardship clause." He had been assured since he' had entered the Chamber a few minutes previously that there were several cases of hardship in the Railway Department that had been met. . l . Mr. Mpnteith: "No one knows any-' thing about it." ■■-■•'.. ( .-_.._...... The Minister of Railways (t!>e Hon. J. G. Coates) said he would be glad to go into the question j which had crop-; ped up again; The board had fixed a maximum. It would be contrary to Mr. , Monteith's opinions, he .thought, to follow, the principle of paying for a large number of children. • -However, the P. and T..oj6cers had recently approached him. on the matter, and he agreed that some of the cases mentioned appeared to be cases of hardship. It was his intention to go intothe question "again. The amendment-was defeated by 53 votes to 29. . - - '.-