SALARIES OF M.P.'s

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1931, Page 5

SALARIES OF M.P.'s

PRESENT PAY INADEQUATE.

OUTSIDE CRITICISM DEPLORED

The salaries of members of Parliament were mentioned by the Hon. J. B. Donald, Postmaster-General, in the House of Representatives on Friday. Mr. Donald said he considered members were underpaid. He fully realised that it would not do to raise members’ salaries at present, but it was ridiculous to think that a man should devote his whole time to the business of the country for £405 a year. A member of Parliament’s work was not an eighthour job. It was practically a 14-hour job. Mr. A. Harris (Ref., Waitema.ta): And there is no superannuation. Mr. Donald: That is so. I am sorry that men in good positions cry out against members of Parliament and their salaries. I would liko to see some of them come into the House and carry on at £405 a year. They would not want to stay very long. “I hope that when conditions improve,” continued Mr. Donald, “the Government will take .up this question and see that members get fair remuneration for the work they do. I advocated that at the election, and will do so again.”