The People
p. 25 · Read in the full issue
By The People, For
pruning knife has been used on salaries for the legislature also—but even so, the new enlarged Assembly and its appendages will cost the Samoan taxpayer about £15,000 per annum. (The election is in November).
The elected MLA’S (41 Samoans and five Europeans) are to get £l2O per annum plus allowances (at present, salary is £200); elected mem bers of Executive Council are to get £6OO plus WO allow ance; Speaker £5OO plus £l2O allowance; and Assistant Speaker £350 plus £lOO. Pay ments are in Samoan cur rency, of course, which is equal to Stg.
In its present state of financial unbalance, a paid legislature, or one of the size proposed, seems something the Territory could best do ivithout. None of the other important Pacific territories have representatives in such proportions —4B ML A’S for 100,000 of population; nor are they paid.