LEGISLATORS' PRIVILEGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21137, 21 March 1932, Page 11

LEGISLATORS' PRIVILEGES.

SUGGESTED CURTAILMENT. POLITICIAN'S REMARKS. Discussing the recommendation of tbe Economy Commission that tho privileges of members of Parliament should be withdrawn, a politician stated in Dunedin last week that he did not think the proposal would be carried into effect, since the members would claim that they had contested their seats on the understanding that they would receive the existing privileges in addition to their salaries. If members were deprived of their privileges their loss would be considerable. The informant said that members of the Lower House were allowed up to £2 a month for stamps during the period of three years for which they were elected, and members of tbe Upper House received a maximum of £1 a month for stamps throughout the seven years for which they were appointed. All members were allowed to send telegrams of up to 36 words for sixpence. Members and their wives travelled free on _ the railways, and members also received passes enabling them to travel free on the ferry between Lyttelton and Wellington throughout the year. Their wives were allowed a limited number of boat tickets. i i i u i The commission, it was added, naa recommended a reduction in the cost of Bellamy's. This, the politician thought, could only be done by raising the price of meals, which at present was Is 6d.