Promises and pay rises

pay rises

In August, Fiji’s Chief Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. M. Koya, secured in London further promises of British aid after independence on October 10.

At the same time, Fiji politicians received encourag ing news about their own security—in the form of big pay rises.

Reports from London said that, during four days of talks with members of the new Con servative Government, Fiji’s leaders received pledges of continued technical aid and other assistance given by the previous Labour administration.

The position of the Fiji sugar industry should Britain enter the European Common Market was also “satisfactorily” discussed.

At home, most government ministers, assistant ministers and Legislative Council mem bers must have been experienc ing a fair degree of satisfaction too, regarding their own financial lot, when an eight man committee appointed in January, to examine parlia mentary salaries, recommended substantial rises.

The Legislative Council, on August 24, unanimously ap proved the rises for members and ministers, to apply from January 1.

The new salaries and ex penses, with the old figures in brackets, are: Chief Minister, $10,500, $2,000 ($7,002, $1,002); ministers, $7,000, $750 ($6,000, $240); assistant ministers, $4,750, $250 ($4,002, _); members, $3,500, ($960, —); Speaker, $6,000, ($960, —); Leader of Opposition, $6,250, $750 ($2,004, $100); Government and Opposition whips, $3,700, $2OO.

In making its recommenda tions the committee took as its guideline salary levels and standards applying generally in Fiji.