The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1932. SUPERANNUATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1932. SUPERANNUATION.

The Select Committee on Superannuation has commenced its duties of taking evidence but there is considerable uncertainty whether the available amount of time remaining befoie the session closes will be sufficient to en-

c.b.ei the Government Superannuation Fundi Bill to be put through the necessary stages and become law. There is the possibility that the hearing of evidence by the Select Committee will extend over a considerable period, and if these /proceedings' are as protracted us they give promise of being, then there will be only a remote chance of the Bill becoming law this session. A Wellington correspondent writing on the subject states that at present there are indications that the Select Committee' will have its work cut out to complete the hearing of evidence and return its report within three weeks, Consideration of the findings determined in the light of the evidence submitted will alone occupy days. ,The provisions of the Bill are practically a translation of th© recommendations of the National Expenditure Commission, and it has been left to the committee to make such amendments as appear necessary. It is expected by the Government, therefore, that some important 'alterations to the original proposals will be recommended!. The evidence so far tendered has come from three of the railway organisations only, and there 'are a good many other representatives who wish to be heal’d, including annuitants. Sitting the hours it does, the committee is unlikely to dispose! of its witnesses for at least another ten days. It has already been made ’cleai thr.it tlie Cabinet wishes to have, the legislation on th© Statute Book at as early a date as possible, so that a beginning may be made with the process of restoring the funds to a stable basis in the- interests of contributors and the country. Accordingly, Ministerial circles are at a less to understand the hostility to the proposals displayed by those affected, /particularly when it was believed that at least 90 per cent, of the public service would welcome the step row being taken. The view is held t at public servants are making a giuve blunder in branding the proposed legislation as a panic measure /Surprise is expressed that the greatest Support for it has not been forthcoming from that quarter, There is no intention on the pan of the Governmeatment to force the .passage of the Bill because it recognises that the subject is a difficult one and that those affected are entitled to fully state their views, and as has already been shown, there is a considerable amount of hostility to the measure being voiced.