SAMOAN INQUIRY.

Grey River Argus, 30 November 1927, Page 5

SAMOAN INQUIRY.

Enormous Cost. BY LABOUR. (Special to “Argus.”) WELLINGTON, November 29. The cost of the inquiry into recent trouble in Samoa, has been questioned by members of Parliament, and objection was taken in the House today, to the sum of £3OOO which was placed on the Supplementary Estimates, as a rough estimate of what the commissions to the Islands would cost this Country. This is only a rough cost, explained SMr. Nosworthy, because the detailed amounts have not been made up. Mr. Howard: It is rough alright (Laughter). Mr. Nosworthy: I am not in a position to say what the cost will be. It might be more or less.

Mr. Howard: Surely not more. Mr. Nosworthy: It might be either, but until I get the figures, I cannot say. A vote of £315 on the estimates to pay the fee of Mr. Myers who represented the Government, before the Joint Committee on Samoa was objected to by Mr. H .E. Holland, and Mr. Howard, both of whom expressed the view that it was too high.

Mr. Holland asked how many sittings there were of the Committee. Mr. Nosworthy: I do not know, but I do not think it is a very high charge. Labour members: Oh, isn’t it. Mr. Forbes: Judging by results, it is. Mr. Nosworthy: Well the Government was caused a great deal of trouble "over this. I am satisfied in my mind that the Minister for Justice is quite fair in this. Mr. Holland: Have you worked it out in conparison to the salary received by members of Parliament, who sat on the same committee. Mr. Nosworthy: Members of Parliament are not paid as counsel. We would be on a good wicket if he got half of what Mr. Myers can earn. Mr. Holland: You mean what he can get. Mr. Nosworthy: They have their scale of fees.

Mr. Holland: But there is a difference between what a man fifffns and what he gets'. Mr. Wilford: We do not get what we earn. Mr. Nosworthy: Well if Mr. Myers had to appear for the Leader of tne opposition and myself, he probably would charge more.