THE SALARY CRAB.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16871, 28 October 1925, Page 7

THE SALARY CRAB.

NOT APPROVED BY NATIONALISTS. N.S.W. PREMIER’S STATEMENT CHALLENGED. Elec. Tel., Copyngot— United Pres* Afwnd SYDNEY,' October 27. A cable from Auckland published in the press to-day said.tljat, in reply to a cable from Mr Savage, deputyJeader of the New Zealand Labor party, Mr Lang hact informed him the increase in New South Wales Parliamentary salaries was granted l with the full approval jpfall parties in the House and that it was a misconception to believe-that Labor introduced the Bill for its own benefit. This gave rise to lively- proceedings. . Mr. Perkins asked the Premier had ho ■/ written NewV Zealand stating 'that all sections of Parliament were in favor of the salary -grab. Amid uproar, Mr. Hill said that all Nationalist members voted against the increase. '* ■ U ; ,

Mr -Lang objected to it being called a “grab.” He said: that if Mr„,Perkins fel t it was a "grab” he was Juicing: some-' thino- to which he was not entitled anjp merely had to write to the Treasury refusing it. He added: Members, of ..the National party voted against the' ipcrease, but nil were accepting it. - In reply to another question, be said that only one member, Mr. Lysaght, n Labovite. refused the increase.. Later in the day Mr. Bavin returned to the attack.. He declared Mr. Lang had made a false statement and if He . bad taken the trouble to' inform himself of the facts, his answer, would' have been different. ITe added that a Premier who answers questions re'aklckslly‘; is almost as bad as a Premier who anSWeJs questions wrongly. ' ’ Seen after the Assembly Mr Bavin said Mr Lang had been .notified that certain members of the Nationalist party had intimated they did not intend to accept the salary increase. "Mr Bavin addled he had cabled Mr Savage (o-night that. Mr Lang’s statement to,the effect that the Salaries Bill had passed tbe Assembly with the full approval of all parties was entirely incorrect. It was carried on a division aerainst opposition with all the Nationalist members voting against the increase.