MEMBERS’ SALARIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20042, 3 September 1920, Page 4

MEMBERS’ SALARIES.

FRIENDLY AGREEMENT. [From Our Correspondent ] WELLINGTON. September 2. .-ot. a. hard word was heard durinf tonight's friendly discussion on the second reading ot the Civil List Bill, which proposes to raise members' salaries to £450 a year. The Prime Milliliter indicated his willingness to bring in amendments during the committee" stage, and he suggested that, £450. which the Bill proposed, would place members in no better position than when their salaries were £3OO. ""What about Ministers' salaries?" asked several members. Mr Massey: Oh, Ministers are very modest people. Mr Nash; "Would you like to-have an expression coming from the House? Mr Massey: I would like to hear the opinion of members. We discussed it in Cabinet and decided to leave the question to other than Ministers. Mr Wilfoni made the suggestion that members' salaries should be increased to £SOO, of which ten per cent should he deducted towards superannuation. Surely n country with so much wealth, he said, could afford to pay its Prime Minister £2OOO a year, and other "Minis, ters proportionately. Labour members joined with the; rest of the House, in recommending £SOO salary. Mr Sullivan took advantage of the occasion to impart a, little jocularity, by comparing the business to that of a. trade union meeting, congratulating thePrime Minister on the way he put, up the claims of his union. The member for Avon was even prepared to ask the Alliance, of Labour to cive him its backing.