Not in Interests of Efficiency

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 34, 10 February 1937, Page 4

Not in Interests of Efficiency

EARLY RETIREMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE. “That a man of fifty-threo should have to retire when still in his prime vitally affects us as ratepayers,” declared Mr K. A. Henderson at the meeting of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce yesterday, when the meeting discussed the recent retirement on superannuation of Mi D. Black, formerly Chief Postmaster at Palmerston North. The meeting decided to forward to the Associated Chumbers of Commerce the following resolution;—-“That it is not in tho interests of efficiency or economy for efficient men to be retired from Government departments before reaching the age of sixty.’’ Not only did the retirement deprive the community of efficient services; it placed extra burden on the superannuation funds, declared Air Henderson. Merely because a man had completed 40 years service it did not follow he hud ceased to be efficient. A member declared that „ the Post Office was particularly affected, as youths started employment frequently at 13 or 14 years of ugc, and were ready for superannuation, according to tho present regulations, at 53 or thereabouts. Every Palmerstoniau would have been glad to see Air Black stay iu his post for another seven years, declared the president, Air A. J. Graham. The solvency of the funds was not improved by the retirement of men in middle age. Air C. N. Rabone suggested that if any attempt were made to distinguish between efficient men and others when forty years service was completo, there would be difficulties. Air Graham said that all knew of instances where the retirement of a man after forty years would lead to increased efficiency, but immediately one entered upon dangerous ground in attempting any discrimination. Air Rabone said it was a pity for men to be taken out of harness while in their prime. Mr H. B. Free said some machinery should be devised that would enable men whose length of service led to their superannuation before sixty to make application for reinstatement. The discussion closed with the motion . stated above. It was decided to accept Mr Black’s resignation with regret, and to record appreciation of his services for the Chambers.