SALARY OF OFFICIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19720, 20 August 1927, Page 13

SALARY OF OFFICIAL.

EXTRA PAYMENTS MADE. EXTENSION OF HIS DUTIES. LABOUR MEMBERS' CHARGES. " MINISTER IS NEVER CANDID." [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday Allegations that the salary of the Parliamentary librarian, Dr. G. H. Scholefield, was being increased by "back-door methods" were made in the House this evening when the Estimates were being discussed. Mr. P. Eraser (Wellington Central) said the present Parliamentary librarian was making good, but the method of his appointment was a'greater question. He was editor of a Reform daily newspaper in Masterton when applications were invited for the position and he was appointed at a salary of £SOO a year. He had now been given the appointment of controller of the Dominion archives and advisory director of the Turnbull Library, tor which the House was asked to vote another £2OO and £SO a year respectively. Mr. Fraser maintained an attempt was being made to raise the librarian's salary by these amounts by a "back-door method" without consulting Parliament or tlie Library Committee. Mr. Fraser said the librarian had previously intimated he would not accept the position at less than £750 a year. This announcement appeared in several newspapers. Minister Eesents Remark. The Hon. W. Nosworthy: I am not responsible for everything that appears in the newspapers. Mr. Fraser: The Minister is never candid. If he can smuggle anything through Parliament or anywhere else he will do so. Mr. "Nosworthy: That is a most unfair remark to make. Continuing, Mr. Nosworthy said Mr. Fraser had shown a lot of ill-feeling over the matter. The appointment had been made m accordance with ihe advertised salary of £SOO. Subsequently the Cabinet had decided to establish an archives department and the Internal Affairs Department had made the appointment. It did not come under his administration. Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland West) said the excuse made by the Minister would not go down. If the Government had taken the advice of the Library Committee they would not have lost any dignity in the matter. Mr. Nosworthy; It seems as if the Library Committee wants to run the Cabinet and everything else. "A Bit Disgusted." Mr. Savage said the librarian was appointed on a distinct understanding that he was to get more later on, and he had been given that more by "backdoor methods." Mr. Nosworthy: I say he accepted the appointment at £SOO a year without any understanding that he was to get more. Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East): I say that this man accepted the position in the full knowledge that he was to get £750 a year later on. Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) : I am inclined to feel a bit sorry for the Minister. The Minister: 1 certainly feel a bit disgusted about the remarks that have been made to-day. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon) repeated the statement that he alleged had appeared in a southern newspaper favour- j able to the Government that the present 1 librarian would not accept the position at less than £750 a year. Mr. Nosworthy: Do you doubt what I have said? I "have explained that the Cabinet created the achives department. " Accused of Smuggling." Mr. Sullivan said on face of the facts that had transpired the Minister and the Prime Minister must realise that there was a case to answer. If competent men were to be given to understand that they were to be passed over I in respect of such appointments the public service must suffer. The case in question savoured of what in another countrv was known as Tammanyism. Mr. Nosworthy: I do not want to use strong language in the House—this is not the place for it—but if we were outside on a sheep station we might be able to find words to describe the attacks which have been made. I can tell everything about this appointment. Mr. Fraser: Tell us how you fixed it. The Minister: Dr. Scholefield was appointed on no other understanding than that he was to receive £SOO a year. I have been accused of smuggling things through the House. If my reputation after 18 years' service will not withstand that—if I am to be accused of being a liar, then things have come to a prettybad pass. The statements which have been made against the Government and mvself in this matter are absolutely untrue. The Chairman: Order. Statement Withdrawn. Mr. Savage: He has charged us with making untrue statements. The Chairman: I have said that statement must 1-mb withdrawn. The Then I withdraw and say the statements are absolutely contrarv to fact. ' . Mr Fraser went over the ground again and asserted that Dr. Scholefield had been appointed over the heads of applicants who had greater qualifications for the position. He said he admitted at once that the Minister had cleared himself. He accepted the Minister's word that he knew absolutely nothing about the extra emolument of £2OO a year. The £SO was nothing; it was the usual thing for the librarian to act as adviser to the Turnbull Committee. The responsibility was now on the Cabinet, and it had something to explain. MEMBERS ON SICK LIST. RETURN OF HON. A. 0. McLEOD [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday The Minister of Lands, Hon. A. D. McLeod, resumed his place in the House of Representatives to-day, having recovered from the eye trouble for which he received treatment in a private hospital. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, is still walking with the aid of and has not been in the House this week. He is attending the meetings of the committee which is inquiring into the Samoan petition. Mr. T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South) was to-day granted seven days' leave of absence on of illness. A FINANCE BILL. POST OFFICE MATTERS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL BEPORTER. ] WELLINGTON. Friday. A Finance Bill affecting the Post Office will he introduced in the' House on Tuesday. In making the announcement this evening, the Prime Minister,' Mr. Coates, intimated that the measure would be proceeded with either on Tuesday or Thursday.