LEGISLATORS’ SALARIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22125, 1 December 1933, Page 10

LEGISLATORS’ SALARIES

QUESTION OF A BONUS STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER (F*OM OU« PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER.) WELLINGTON, November 30. The publication of a report that several members of Parliament were considering asking the Government for a bonus in addition to their year’s salary has - caused the Legislature so much anxiety that the Prime Minister (Mr GW. Forbes) was called upon in the House of Representatives to-day to make a public statement regarding whether he had been approached on this matter during the present session. In an urgent question Mr A. D. M’Leoi (Wairarapa) asked Mr Forbes if he had read in the correspondence columns of the Dominion a letter strongly protesting against any increase being made in the salaries of members of Parliament, and if he had read this would he, in view of the widespread rumours, state to the House whether he had been approached by any group of members during the present session urging that the salaries should be increased or a sessional bonus paid. i The Prime Minister made the following reply: “ There is no foundation in fact for the report that members of the New Zealand Parliament have moved for any bonus or payment in addition to their present honorarium. The suggestion may properly be regarded as a mischievous attempt to provoke discord. The reply was received with expressions of approval. The report to which the Prime Minister apparently refers was published in the Otago Daily Times on Monday la*t. It did not state that members had moved or had taken action to secure a bonus. It merely said that several members were considering making representations to the Government with this object in view. The report was based on thoroughly reliable information, and so far as it went it was a statement of fact. It may nc regarded as unlikely that members who were considering placing their case before the Government will now go even as far as that.