THE POLICE BALLOT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 130, 25 February 1908, Page 7

THE POLICE BALLOT.

■ .—, . 9 ; POSTPONED INDEFINITELY.:-;' We learn on official authority that: the ballot to decido whether tlio Police Force shall como under the provisions of the Public. Servico Superannuation; Act of. last session lias been, postponed indefinitely. The postponement has been rendered necessary by it curious deficiency in tho Act, which does not stato whether contributors to thoPolico Provident Fund, if they elect to come under its provisions, shall do so" asoriginal'contributors, and receive credit for past services. There is no doubt that this was tho intention of tho Legislature, but in tho hurry of tho Act's passngo the position " has; not been so expressed, and legally snch contributors might find themsolves without a valid claim to previous sorvices. About £30,000 has been paid into tho Police Provident Fund, for which the polico foar thoy might, receive nothing at all. Clause '10 of tho Act states:—"On n day to bo fixed by tho Ministorfor Justico (being not, later than six months from the coming into operation of this Act), a ballot shall bo taken of <ho contributors, to the Polico Provident Fund on-tho proposal that such contributors shall becomo contributors to tho fund established undor this Act, in lieu of the first-riientioncd fund." This portion of tho Act was nn aftorthought, inserted at the instance of tho Legislative Council, and, in tho hurry of legislation. at tho end of tho session, the clauses of the Act word not ; made sufficiently explicit to safeguard past contributors to tho Polico Provident Fund from a very serious, risk.

It is not. expected, thorofore, that a ballot will be taken until tlio defect m the Act has boeu remedied by further legislation.