THE GOVERNOR'S SALARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11433, 25 July 1900, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR'S SALARY.

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE, , : [bt telbgbaph.—- CORRESPONDENT.] , Wellington, Tuesday.';'. In the course of Ids speech on the Governor's " Salary and Allowances Bill, the Premier said '-\ - he believed ':■ the Australian, Commonwealth would probably pay the, Governor-General • what would bo equivalent .to : £12,000 or .•;.; £15,000 a year. The Governor of Now ZeaV land would "also ,be ; a Governor-General. This would exalt the position of New Zealand | : and ol the Governor. He (Mr. Seddon) was looking to the increased responsibility as far as New Zealand was concerned. Increased responsibility had already been cast upon the Governor for, by the consent of Parliament, the Cook Group was now practically controlled by the Government of New Zealand. The responsibility was a proper one for the colony to take, and he was only sorry other places were not under the same conditions. As soon as the Premier had sat down the rumours regarding the differences of opinion, at the recent Government caucuses, regarding the proposed all-round increase of salaries, were confirmed by the opposition from among tho Ministerial ranks. Mr. McLachlan led off in his usual rough-and-ready style, objecting strongly to the increaso in His Excellency's salary. This was not surprising, but it was surprising to find Mr. Monk backing up the member for Ashburton, and Mr. Monk's friends were more than surprised when he spoke of the Governor's position as being merely a conventional one, and also referred to His Excellency as a mere figure-head and an official automaton. This sort of talk was certainly not expected from themember for Waitemata, and i) is only fair to say that he expressly disclaimed any intention of being disrespectful to Her Majesty's representative. In tJie heat' of the debate Mr. Monk probably said more than he intended. Mr. Collins was also opposed to the Bill, but he spoke with good taste and without any bitterness. The same, however, could not be eaid of Mr. G. W. Russell, who posed to the utmost as a, democrat. The word " Lord " . seemed to have tho same effect on him as a red rag upon a bull. He declaimed much about titles and nobility, and said little to the point. Captain Russell summed up the member for Riccarton's speech very well, when he said he posed before the Assembly in strident tones, as a man of the people. Captain Russell thought that the Premier went too far wlwi he spoke of the Governor of New Zealand being a Governor-General, hut he might truly have said that when Australia had its Governor-General the status of the Governor of New Zealand would be considerably increased. Of course reference was made to an elective Governor, but one of the advocates of this system had to de{lore the chorus of disapprobation coming from the followers of Mr. Seddon, and quoted 'an ancient division list, which showed that an Elective Governor Bill was only defeated by one vote. Things have evidently greatly changed since those days, and the present ■ House at any rate seems to havo no desire to upset tho present method of appointing Her Majesty's representatives. The debate was not conducted on party lines, for while Captain Russell spoke in favour of the Premier's Bill/quite a number of Ministerialists, such as Messrs. G. W. Russell, Collins, Tanner, McLachlan, and Meredith, ranged themselves with Messrs. Monk, Piraui, J. Hutcheson, and other Oppositionists in opposing the measure. After several hours' discussion Mr. James Allen moved as an amendment that the debate bo adjourned until some conclusion be arrived at as to the financial position of the colony. He contended that before any decision as to the Governor's salary was come to tho House should know the financial proposals of the Government. Mr. Ward made an able and vigorous reply, and Mr. Massey replied in equally forcible terms, pointing out that the non-borrowing policy and the reduction of the tariff promised by the present Government had not yet been accomplished, but quite, the conr trary. The debate was still proceeding '-■ merrily at midnight. The debate-.concluded • with a vigorous speech from the Premier, in reply, ata-quartcr past one in the morning. The division was then taken, the second reading of the Bill being carried by 43 votes to 15.