THE SUPERANNUATION FUNDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1922, Page 4

THE SUPERANNUATION FUNDS.

In the House on Friday last, Mr. Massey expressed doubt whether New Zealand could continue to carry the burden imposed upon the country by the superannuation funds, which he described as enormous. The funds were calling for increased State contributions, and this session he would have to ask for increases. In considering payments by way of salary and bonus to civil servants, it is necessary to bear in mind that the public funds have to bear substantial payments towards the superannuation funds. One yeai they amounted to £106,000, and another to £86,000. This year, owing probably to compulsory retirements, the subsidy evidently will be heavier still. We are told that reductions in the cost of administration are being made in certain directions, but if the Consolidated Fund has to find substantial amounts like these, then very little relief from the burden of taxation is possible in the near future. Mr. Massey stated that there are 50,000 people in th” employ of the State. The number of electors on the roll at the last general elections was 683,420, which means that one in every 13 adults is a State employe?, or, allowing for minors, one in every 14, which is only slightly lower than is the case in Australia, These figures should make the public refiept, especially when sections of the Civil Service are assuming an aggressive attitude towards the Government, which, of course, means the whole country. All the departments should be thoroughly overhauled by competent outside business men, overlapping done away with, staffs cut down where possible, each department being made self-supporting, and meeting superannuation charges and contributing its proper share towards the cost of running the country. Only by these means can the Dominion weather the storm with which it is now faced.