UNSALARIED MINISTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11730, 21 June 1916, Page 2

UNSALARIED MINISTER.

IS IT ? [From OVK. Coßß^sroxDExr.] WELLINGTON, June 20. Members in the very brief opportunity they took on the discussion of the iirst item of the Estimates tonight referred, to tho position of tho Hon J. A. Hanan, Minister of. Education, who serves without salary. Mr Witty condemned the increase in expenses, of Ministers' salaries with accompanying expenses for secretaries and travelling. This was all the more regrettable following the huge expenditure on special train and motor-cars to tako people from all parts of the country to Mamnor. It was a waste of money to have so many Ministers. If they wore, loyal to each other thc.v should divide their salaries so as to pay a portion to the Minister of Education. Mr Forbes declared that, the Minister cf Educatioa was doing most important work without, salary. Ho believed in paying a man if he ~;as worth it. Mr" 'Hanan was undoubtedly worthy of a salary. Mr A:'.driven endorsed what had been said regarding Mr Hanan, who was doing good work in an honourable, responsible position, administering £1,300,000 of expenditure. Mr Isitt strongly supported tho proposal by Mr Witty. No Minister in th*f Cabineb did more thorough and energetic work. It wjas not in harmony with the dignity of the country that such a position should obtain. Mr M : Combs declared that there would be no suggestion that, it was a mercenary cry, such i\s iv® raised when certain members advocated increases to soldiers. Mr -Malcolm, chairman of committees, stated in reply to a question that the discussion was not strictly relevant, Ministers' salaries not being provided on tho Estimates. In courtesy he had allowed somo latitudcTho committee mostly occupied itself in private discussions of the extraordinary situation caused by tho collapse. of the Financial Debate, the consequence being that tho first item passed at 7.51'. . Tho Minister m charge of tho Legislative estimates, in making a brief answer, said that it was impossible to have Ministers without expenditure. He undertook to give the House later information regarding tho total cost of Ministers and their ntail's.