“POOREST PAID.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 931, 29 November 1933, Page 5

“POOREST PAID.”

New Zealand Representative in London. HIGH COMMISSIONER’S SALARY. (“Star” Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, November 29. “New Zealand’s High Commissioner is the poorest paid High Commissioner in London,” declared Mr Jordan (Manukau) in the House yesterday afternoon. During a discussion on the salary and allowances of the High Commissioner, widely divergent views were expressed. The point was raised when the estimated expenditure for this office for the year, amounting to £20,758, came under notice. Mr Jordan pointed out that while New Zealand paid £1575 per annum the Australian and Canadian High Commissioners received £3500. He wondered how the job was done at all. The official entertainment allowance last year w’as £129, yet the New Zealand High Commissioner had to take his place along with those who received mucir more liberal salaries. “ I am going to talk about the High Commissioner, but I am not going to shed tears about his £1575 a year or his house allowance of £900,” said Mr Langstone (Waimarino). “The whole outfit costs us £20,758. I am more concerned with people here who are without food than with someone overseas hobnobbing with nabobs in silver-tailed coats.” Replying to the discussion, the Hon T. A. Young said that in addition to his salary of £1575 and his house allownnce of £9OO the High Commissioner was allow'ed up to £2OO per annum for official entertainments, of which he spent £129 last year. As to the question of the adequacy of his salary there were various views on the subject, and he had noted them for presentation to the Government. ...