MEMBERS AND MINISTERS' SALARIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8630, 28 July 1891, Page 5

MEMBERS AND MINISTERS' SALARIES.

The rumour gains strength thafc so soon a? the Payment of, Members' Bill is safe another Bill will be brought in restoring Ministerial salaries to their old rate. I understand it will not be proposed to restore the Premier's salary , to the former high figure, £1750, but that it will be placed at £1250, while the other Ministers will get £1000 each, a residence or £200 house allowance being added in every case. It is aseertod that this would be carried without the slightest difficulty, in the Lower House at all events, but ifc is said that the Payments of Members Bill, although sure td be censured, will not have by any me/ins unanimous support. Mr. Mitchelson tells mo the Opposition are likely to give a block vote against it, and that he expects several Ministerialists to oppoFe it on the ground that it will create a class of professional politicians which is not deemed desirable. I am told on good authority that a certain Southern metnbei , practically forced it down Ministers throats, informing them plainly that unless they brought in such a Bill without further delay, the Labour party would put in another Government who would bring in the Bill. A strenuous effort was made to get the rate of pay fixed at £300, or £25 E>er month, but Ministers, to their credit Iβ it said, stood firm here, and refused to go beyond £240. The Bill, however, will not go through without, some vigorous resistance, and some plain speaking on tho part of its opponents.

INVALID MEMBERS. I am glad to say that Mr. Bryce is much better, and was able to be about to-day. Mr. Palmer, who has had to undergo a painful throat operation, and wae unable to take chloroform, is very much better, and both members hope to resume their public duties to-morrow.