N.S. WALES POLITICS

Otago Witness, Issue 3556, 9 May 1922, Page 22

N.S. WALES POLITICS

MEMBERS’ SA LARIES. SYDNEY, Alay 3. In the Assembly, the debate on the Members’ Salaries Bill was lively, and a decision was not reached until the Government further compromised by deleting the clause which provided that payment should cease .on the dissolution or expiration of Parliament. This assured members of full pay during an election and the retention of their railway passes. Hie Assembly, by* 43 votes to 35, rejected a clause in the Salaries Bill making provision for a Solicitor-general. The Progressives voted with Labour in the majority. The Government did not regard defeat as vital. - The clause reducing members’ salaries to £6OO per annum was carried by 43 votes to 33. Labour voted with the minority. In the Assembly there was a heated battle over the Alinisters’ Salaries Reduction Bill, which ended in the Government accepting-an amendment bv Air Bruyner. Leader of the Progressive Party, fixing the total amount allotted as Ministers’ salaries at £IB,OOO, instead of the £20,000 proposed by the Government. The amendment was carried on the Voices. Aleantime Air M’Girr’s amendment to make the allotment £16,000 had been defeated. The Treasurer announced an allotment as follows: Premier, £2OOO. Attorney-general, £I6OO. Vice-president of the Executive Council, £9OO. Nine Alinisters, £ISOO each. With frequent applications of the gag, against which strong protests were entered, the Bill was taken through its remaining stages and sent to the Council. The proceedings throughout were of a very acrimonious character. Alay 2. Air Dooley has issued a statement from his home justifying the increases on the ground that country members when travelling are put to an expense of £2 per day, which leaves little for the maintenance of a member’s family, after a certain amount extra has been earmarked for election expenses. He contends that the reduction will play into the hands of the. wealthy classes who can afford public life. May 4. The Legislative Council passed the second reading of the Salaries Bill by 26 votes to 17, and the measure was carried through all its stages without amendment. The Assembly has adjourned till Tuesday for the signing of the Bill. Prorogation for a few weeks is then indicated. lAIAIENSE EXPENDITURE. SYDNEY, Alay 4. Sir Thomae Henley, who is taking stock of the Public Services, says he finds that the State employs no less than 14-£ per cent, of the adult male population. The annual wages bill amounts to £14,658,000. In urging the importance of getting a fair return for this immense expenditure, the Minister said that the Government did not i stand for cheap labour or sweated conditions ; but he gave a plain hint that it is intended to secure a fair day’s work for the money paid, or know the reason why. EXPULSION OF AIR CATTS. SYDNEY, May 2. The federal Labour Party's Executive endorsed the action of the New South Wales Executive in expelling Air J. H. Catts. It states that anything amiss in the movement should bo remedied from within.