PAYMENT OF MEMBERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14567, 2 January 1911, Page 4

PAYMENT OF MEMBERS.

According to a, report . published in the London, Times the British Government intend to bring in a Bill at the opening of the Session providing, for the payment of members. The honorarium will, it is stated, be fixed at £500 annum. As Parliamentary salaries go this is by no means an .extravagant rate. France pays her senators and deputies £600 a, year, while in the United States members of Congress get £1500 in addition to various allowances for incidental expenses. Germany, with a more frugal turn of mind, pays ±he members of the Reichstag £150 a year, which is only half the amount received by New Zealand • M.P.'s. The House of Commons now stands alono -among ther great legislative Chambers of the world in being a purely honorary body, a unique distinction which many people will regret to see pass away. Whatever shortcomings may be charged against the British Parliamentary system no one will deny that it has attracted some of the ablest men in the country, who have freely and voluntarily given their services to- the country. Whether the political prestige of the United Kingdom will suffer from the adoption of the principle of payment of members is a matter that only time can decide, but looking at the calibre and character of most paid Parliaments one cannot help regarding the impending change with misgivings. • ■