THE HONORARIUM QUESTION. To the Editor of the Star.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume V, Issue 848, 14 July 1884, Page 2

THE HONORARIUM QUESTION. To the Editor of the Star.

Sir, — It is said that even the de'il is not so black as he 'is painted, and certainly M.EF.R.'s who attended but one sitting of the recent Parliament did not " loot " the Treasury to the extent that Wanderer makes out. He would probably find, if be made inquiry, that Mr. Locke, for instance, whose name be mentions, did nob draw 'the fall' sum of two hundred guineas, unless bis case was treated specially, owing- to the election having taken place daring the session. The arrangement in reference to-honora-rium is somewhat of this character : five days' grace is allowed to members, but should a member be absent for more than five days, each day's absence is debited against him, and at the end of the session his honorarium is reduced by an amount corresponding to the proportion which his failures to attend beav to the full number of sittings of the House. I do not know how much Mr. Locke drew; but it is not likely that he drew the whole amount, and quite certain that others who attended for one or two days only received but a pro rata allowance. — Yours, &c., P.