SUPERANNUATION

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1933, Page 8

SUPERANNUATION

CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

WELLINGTON, November 14

Legislation will not be brought before the House this session to deal with the condition of the State superannuation funds, although the outcome of a conference now proceeding . between the Minister of Finance and the heads of the interested organisations may point the way. to future action, thp Prime Minister told members today. The conference, he said, would submit concrete proposals which would help the Government in its decision.

“In the meantime,” he stated, “wc are carrying on. That is all that can be . said. The men are getting their superannuation at the present time. There is no intention on the part of the Government to bring down legislation this session) dealing with)the question, because it is one of great importance requiring a good deal of investigation.”

It was possible, said the Prime Minister, that as a result of the- negotiations between the Minister cf Finance and representatives of the organisations the matter could be arranged in such a way sis'would be mutually satisfactory. There was no desire on the part of the Government to penalise contributions to the funds.

The announcement of the Prime Minister provoked a sharp attack from Mr Savage, leader of the Opposition, who asked the Government to disclose what really was happening over tlie superannuation'funds. He recalled the investigation of last session, the voluminous evidence take by a special select committee,. and the fact that that committee had not been summoned together for: the current session. In the case, of ..the railwayman he could say they owed the fund nothing, but apparently they were being, called -upon to shoulder some of the State’s responsibility for the weak condition of the funds.

It was stated by All- Parry (Auckland Central) that in the years during which it had not paid in its guarantees the Government had declared a surplus, falsifying, the accounts. “Yes, falsifying the accounts,” he said. “There is no question about that. Mr Sneaker: Order! Order! Mr Parry: It appears to me to be nothing else. Mr Speaker: You should withdraw the' word “falsifying.” Mr. Parry: I will do so reluctantly. V will say that a correct statement of ’mounts has not been given for many years.