December 20, 1867

MPS SEEK MORE PAY

When the House met yesterday at 3 o’clock it spent its first hour with the doors closed as MPs pressed the Government to prorogue the House rather than merely adjourn.

A prorogation would secure for members a full sessional pay of $600. The Government rejected the pleas of the members and the House will only stand adjourned.

The decision to adjourn costs MPs approximately $400 as they will receive indemnities of $6 per day instead which works out to about $200.

NEWSPAPER TAX STANDS

An attempt by Ebenezer Bodwell (Liberal, South Oxford) to remove the newspaper tax from the Postal Bill was defeated. 36 members voted to keep the tax. Just 23 voted against it. Had the vote been held while the MPs of the Lower provinces were still at the capital, the tax might have been defeated.