PUBLIC SERVICE SUPERANNUATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8984, 19 November 1907, Page 5

PUBLIC SERVICE SUPERANNUATION.

THE PREMIER EXPLAINS THE BILL. SECOND READING AGREED TO. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 18. In the House of Representatives the Premier, in moving the second reading of the Public Service Superannuation Billy said that the bill was intended to make provision for, in round numbers, some 6,000 employees of the Government. He pointed out that from the years 1854-60 to 190607 the amount paid in gratuities reached £108,205, compensation £250,082, total £328,297. During the same period pensions amounted to £723,128, a grand total, in round figures, of £1,100,000. Last year £B,OOO was paid in compensation, £B,OOO in gratuities, and £26,000 in pensions, or a total of £42,000.' The total amount proposed to be paid into the fund for the purpose was £20,000 a year, and if a further amount was required, Parliament would have power to grant the Colonial Treasurer what was required. Proceeding, he, paid a high tribute to Mr Fox for the two reports he ha i presented to the Public Accounts Committee'. Some people appeared to think that the delay had been due to the actuarial report, but this had not. been so. The matter had required considerable consideration. He pointed out that under the proposals men would retire at 65 and women at 55. Proceeding, he said it was right and proper that they should see th 9 rate of contributions paid to the fund were reasonable, and he contended that the rates under the bill were reasonable. He explained that the employees of the Manawatu Railway Company, when it came under the Government, would be enabled to come under the provisions of the superannuation fund when the company had paid over the>£s,ooo agreed, upon. The employees would have to submit to the same, medical examination as others who came under, the provisions of the bill. He said that he had received many applications from teachers asking that they should come undar the scheme, and he proposed, when in committee, to insert a clause enabling teachers to take a ballot on the question of coming under the scheme, and if they agreed to that course, then next session they would have to bring down a short measure for that purpose. He also thought the police shculd be enabled to come under the bill, and added that it was preferable to have one superannuation scheme instead of a number. Replying to Mr F. M. B. Fisher, the Premier said that the whole of the clerical staff of the Defence Department came .under the proposals of the Bill. Sir Joseph Ward went on to say that in a case where a man died the amount of his contributions would be paid to his widow, and in a case where a widow desired to invest in a amall business, provision is made that instead of receiving £lB per annum, she could be paid a lump sum for that purpose. Mr W. F. Massey said that the work done by Mr Fox rpoke volumes for what he hid doio. He did not' think it was altogether wise to compulsorily retire men at fQ, 01' ?Y§n ?t 65, as frequently hiyh at that age were well able to rerform their duties and render good service to the State. He went on to say that the rates of contributions under the scheme were practically identical with the teachers' scheme, but were" considerably higher than the police and railway scheme. He agreed thoroughly on the principle of superannuation especia'ly for State employees, but he looked forward to the time when everyone would come under the superannuation scheme. MrT. Wilford: Yes; why should I not be allowed to pay my contribution into the fund? Mr Massey, continuing, said that a great deal had been. done in this direction by the Friendly Societies, and he greatly admired them for the work they had done in this direction. The Premier, referring to Mr Massey's suggestion for a universal scheme, stated that he had circulated a bill all over the country last year dealing with the annuities, and this bill had been well received by the Friendly Societies. The second reading was agreed to on the voices.