HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 June 1938, Page 7

HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES

NEED FOR RETIRING AGE STRESSED. VIEWS OF WAIRARAPA BOARD. “I am definitely of the opinion that we should have a retiring age for our employees,” observed Mr W. B. Martin at yesterday’s meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board. If there were a retiring age, he added, indelicate discussion and awkward and embarrassing situations could be avoided. Mr Martin had given notice to move that the retiring age of all employees of the board should be females 55 and males 65 and that in all future appointments over which the board had control that condition should be effective.

The chairman, Mr H. H. Mawley, said there was a lot to be said in favour of the motion. They might, however, have an exceptional man who would have to go when he reached the retiring age. It was a good motion but it should not be passed hurriedly. Mr Martin said he agreed that no hasty decision should be reached and thought that the opinion of other boards should be sought through the Hospital Boards’ Association. An old man was entitled to live his life and a man at 60 or 65 was often capable of giving excellent service. Mr Martin agreed to withdraw his motion and it was decided to ask the Hospital Boards’ Association to get an expression of opinion from other boards as the retiring age of employees and to state that in the opinion of the Wairarapa board the age limits should be females 55 and males 65.