RAILWAYMEN'S SUPERANNUATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1919, Page 8

RAILWAYMEN'S SUPERANNUATION.

TIIE QUESTION OF INCREASE. (By Wire.—Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Last^Night. The request of the superannuated railwaymen for increases in their superannuation payments, on account of t.he. high cost of living, produced a general discussion in the House to-day, and drew some jemarks of interest from the Prime Minister: "I do not need to tell honorable members," said Mr. Massey, "that I have u great deal of -sympathy with the expressions of opinion of honorable gentlemen in this debate —an important debate in the interests of the country—and I share their sympathy with those superannuated public servants. I quite understand that since the outbreak of war these people have had great difficulty in making ends meet, riwing to the increased cost of living, and the decreased purchasing power of money, hut while I agree with mqst of whit lias been said. 1 should like '{o remind honorable members that the question is one of great difficulty to the Government. If this concession were given to tlr; railwaymen it would have also to be given to the ffiiperannnated public servants, to the superannuated teachers, and to the superannuated police. Then the question arises as to what the demands would cost, if granted. I have only a roug> estimate as to what the cost be. but in all possibility it would be about £200,000 per annum. Mr. Pollard: It would take £*150,000 for the railwaymen.

Mr. Massey: "Perhaps I am underestimating the amount." Mr. Massev spoke of the state of the willow of. a public servant. When the superannuated public servant died, his income died with him, and the widow was often left in straitened circumstances. This should not be, and this matter would have to be taken into consideration along with the other proposals. He went on to speak of the position of the railwaymen's superannuation fund, pointing out that the contribution of the State to the fund had been increased by £50,000 Ibis year. To make this other concession would involve a very largo sum of money, and it was questionable whether the finances of the country would .stand this sort of thing fnrllier taxation. He, was doubtful about it. He had hoped that it would he possib'j to reduce taxation, but' it appeared now that there was little prospects nf this. The whole financial position would have to be considered carefully very soon. As to the petition, it would be his dntv to bring the matter before Catynet, and he hoped to do at an early date.