POWER BOARD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 147, 15 April 1940, Page 5

POWER BOARD

, MONTHLY MEETING QUESTION OF SUPERANNUATION The monthly meeting of the Bay of Plenty Electric Power Board was held on Tuesday. Prcsant: Messrs W. T. Burrett (chairman)., W. Jv Sumner, J. Mitchell, W. A. Gault, S. Maxwell, F. J. Burt, D. Spence, J. D. Dicker (engineer-manager), ond G. A. Hathaway (secretary). The agent for the Australian Mutual Provident Society wrote re a scheme of superannuation for the board's staff. Mr Maxwell said that the cost of such a scheme to the board would be approximately £400. Mr Spence said he would like to hear more about the details of the scheme before making any decision. In reply to a question, Mr Hathaway,, informed the board that when the company put a scheme before the board some years ago, the company insisted that the whole staff should come into the scheme. Mr Maxwell claimed that such a scheme would mean that the poor man would be contributing to the rich. Further Discussion.

Mr Burt asked why the men themselves could not take out an insurance policy, and why the consumers should have to pay. Mr Spence considered that the goodwill of the staff had a great deal to do with the successful running of a board. He thought the board should always be willing to look into anything likely to improve the conditions of the men. Mr Bu;*t: There is no harm in hearing the proposition. After further discussion the board decided to invite insurance companies to submit superannuation schemes. Mr Maxwell voted against the proposal . During the discussion it was pointed out that the employees would have to be agreeable to a scheme. The usual contributions were divided equally between the board and the employee.