A SUPERANNUATION SCHEME.

Shannon News, 24 February 1928, Page 4

A SUPERANNUATION SCHEME.

POWER BOARD SECRETARY TO INVESTIGATE.

Some discussion took place at the Horowheuua Power Board's meeting on Tuesday relative to a . suggestion for the establishment of a superannuation scheme for the employees and staff. The secretary (Mr. Goldsmith) submitted the following report: — “This subject has been mentioned on previous occasions, but so far no definite instructions have ever been issued by the Board; Members are probably f aware that the larger Boards have a superannuation scheme in force. From the nature of Power Board business, -where a number of employees are likely to be permanently employed, a superannuation scheme is considered by many authorities to be highly desirable in the best interests of the Boards themselves as well as their employees, and doubtless many of the Boards throughout New Zealand will eventually establish such a scheme. I should like this Board to give me authority to make full enquiries from the National Provident Fund officials and elsewhere, as to cost, method of working and other details for information and future consideration. The authority sought -would not in any w-ay pledge thp Board to any either for or against superannuation, but would simply furnish information, upon which a decision could be arrived at, at a later date.”

The Chairman (Mr. Monk) suggested that the Secretary be given authority to make inquiries and prepare a further report on the matter. The subject was one to which the Board might give consideration. He looked on the Board as a permament institution, and it had a staff who would make the work their life employment. The authority to make inquiries and report would not commit the Board in any way, but would adduce' some useful information for future consideration.

Mr. Barber said, he thought that superannuation was rather an important question, and local bodies should take it up without delay.

Mr. Seifert considered that the Board should go into the question. It would not be committed to anything at present beyond allowing Mr. Goldsmith to go ahead with an investigation. He thought that the Power Board was a particularly suitable institution to undertake some such provision .

Mr. Vincent remarked, that this was a fairly small Board, and it might be advisable to link up with other local bodies in the district in'the suggested movement.

The Chairman: I have had that in mind, even in regard to other local bodies. If we have the report on the working of any particular system, we can take it up with them. Probably we are just a little on the small side; but co-operation between the various local bodies would probably result in formulating a fairly good scheme.

Mr. Vincent: The work our men do is rather more dangerous than that of other local bodies.

The Secretary: I don’t know- that the rate would show much difference. I feel that I can go into this without any personal interest in it, because I am beyond the age when I could benefit in any form; but, looking ahead, it is quite a right thing, if you are to retain the right type of men to run the Power Board’s work throughout the country.

The Engineer (Mr. Smith) stated that the subject was brought up at the main conference of the Power Supply Authorities’ engineers, and one suggestion made was in the direction of inducing different, public bodies to join in a scheme, including Power Boards, Harbour Boards and County Councils. Sometimes an, officer ivem from one body’s employ to that of another, and if these organisations were grouped he could still retain his superannuation.

• The necessary authority was passed to the secretary to obtain information bearing on the matter.