LEGISLATORS AND PAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19216, 4 January 1926, Page 7

LEGISLATORS AND PAY.

NEW SOUTH WALES COUNCIL MEMBERS DEMAND SALARIES, "STRIKE" IN UPPER HOUSE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. SYDNEY. Jan. 3. A sensation has been caused in political circles by the presentation to the Government of a memorial signed by more than two dozen members of the Legislative Council, asking for payment for members of the Upper House. The position is at present an honorary one. In Ministerial circles the memorial is regarded as a deciding factor in the Council's abolition. The newly-appointed members of the Council will b« put to the test to enable the Government to see whether the pledges they gave the party to aid in abolishing the Upper House are genuine. The payment demanded is £530 a year. The members making the demand include anti-Labour as well as Labour supporters. It is stated that after the petition was presented to the Government some members of the Council "struck" with the object of forcing the Government's hand, there being a remarkable falling-off in tho attendances at sittings of the Council. The Premier, Mr. Lang, countered this move by adopting the simple expedient of threatening to introduce the. Legislative Council Abolition Bill, which is already being drafted.