AIDING CABINET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22489, 5 August 1936, Page 12

AIDING CABINET

DUTIES OF MINISTERS M.P.'S AS UNDERSECRETARIES SALARIES OF £6OO A YEAR [}3Y TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPOnTF.It] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The appointment of Parliamentary under-secretaries with official status as assistants to Ministers of the Crown is authorised by the Civil List Amendment Bill which was introduced in the House of Representatives by Gov-ernor-General's message to-day. Each under-secretary to be appointed under the bill will be entitled to a salary of £6OO a year with travelling and house allowances. Members of the Legislative Council as well as members of Parliament are eligible for appointment. The bill provides that under-secre-taries may be appointed by the Gover-nor-General by warrant. The appointment may be in relation to one or more Ministerial offices to be specified in the warrant, and notices of appointment or vacation of office must be gazetted. Every under-secretary appointed must take an oath of office swearing servico to the King.

Travel and House Allowances

The clause laying down salaries states that in addition to payment of £6OO a year, an u rider-secretary while travelline in New Zealand on public business will be entitled to the same travelling allowances as a member of the Executive Council—a maximum of £2 a day —and in place of a residence in Wellington, a house allowance of £2OO. The salary of £(300 does not include the ordinary member's salary, which will cease on appointment. It is provided that Ministers may assign any of their powers, duties, and functions to Parliamentary Under-Secre-taries appointed to assist them, but the Minister is to retain all his present authority. A document signed by an under-secretary on behalf of a Minister must in addition to the former's signature have reference to his office. The document will be fully effective without the signature of the Minister himself. Salaries ol Ministers The Civil List Act prescribes the salaries to be paid for 10 Ministers of the Crown in addition to the Prime Minister. At present there are 11 Ministers, and a clause in the bill provides that salaries may be paid to thcni without any alteration in the total amount payable, the Prime Minister's salary being included for the purpose of this calculation. A further clause provides that specific statutory authority is not required for the expenditure of moneys appropriated by Parliament to provide travelling facilities and other privileges for members of the General Assembly and their families.