“SERVICE AND REWARD”

Evening Star, Issue 22252, 1 February 1936, Page 13

“SERVICE AND REWARD”

LABOUR'S DIVISION OF SALARIES MINISTERS SHARING WITH OTHER MEMBERS PRACTICAL REALISATION OF AN IDEAL [Per United Press Association.! WELLINGTON, January, 31. For tho first time in the parliamentary history of New Zealand Mmisteis of the Crown are sharing then honoraria with members of tho Labour Government party. Moreover, tne unique system has not yet been developed to the full extent of Labour s ideal of service and reward., A wider practice in the near future is assuiec. In i-eply to a question to-day, tne Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) said:Yes, it is true that the Ministry is shaving its honoraria with other members of the Labour Government party. Tho system, however, has not yet been fully developed. As a matter of fact, the Minister of Finance (Mr Walter Nash) and a special committee are working out the details of a comprehensive scheme of what may he called salary sharing on a basis of cooperative service, not merely tor tne party, hut for the country as a whole. We have a big task to do, and there arc 55 of ns now in the party, each willing to do his hit and all expected to do their best according to ability, experience, and special knowledge. “The ideal is simple enough, and it is as reasonable as it is simple,” Mr Savage added.' u Tbe Tjabour_ Party is pledged to do everything possible for the people as a whole, and it follows that each member is anxious and determined to do his best. As a party we do not want any man to feel that he is merely a cypher, a head to, count when the parties go into the division lobbies. We want to get the best that is in each man’s head, and it seems to me that here is another way to get the national job done with the thoroughness and,fairness that the people want. I agree with you, that it would be unfair—l would not go so far as to say it was an impertinence —to ask how much salary I as Prime Minister am drawing under the. present arrangements. It is, of course, not so ■ much as , the sum allotted to- tho position, and it is likely to bo less, but that has nothing to do with the objective of the Labour. Governmeilt and the Labour Party. We .aim at securing the best possible results, and, as a means to that end, we believe that every man who. is willing to strive for that goal is entitled to share in the fixed statutory rewards for service. .

Already arrangements have been made by which the additional members of tho executive who are without portfolios share in the Ministerial honoraria. This has he'en dona within the limit of the civil list and without any additional cost to the taxpayer. The same principle will hold when the present system of sharing has been extended to all merhhers of the Labour Party in Parliament. It is now merely, a question of working out the details. We are of one mind on tho principle- that every member of tho party will have the opportunity to do his full share of work. This does not mean that there will lie any I division v . df« ; Ministerial authority or adihinistrative infusion.Each Minister will be fully responsible for the portfolio or portfolios which he holds. The parliamentary members of the party who help them will in no sense usurp the responsibilities and decisions of the Ministers. It is reasonable, however, that, if' the members share the Ministerial work, they should also share in the emoluments" of the Ministers. , That is all there is to it. The full details of the co-operative Government system have not yet been worked out, but you have been given the idea and tho objective.”