1.—15.

The following gave evidence, and were questioned by members of the Committee, the Public Service Commissioner, Government Actuary, and Mr. Millar : Charles Philip Ryan, Representative of the Superannuitants of the Railway Service ; William Marcus Wright, President, Superannuated Public Servant's Association of New Zealand (recalled) ; John Gunn Poison, representing the teachers of all branches of the Service in Christchurch ; Oscar Ambrose Banner, 011 behalf of the Men Teachers' Guild, Auckland ; Dr. Michael Herbert Watt, Director-General of Health, on behalf of Nurses employed in the service of the Government. The Committee continued to sit until 1.5 p.m. and, on the motion of Mr. J. A. Nash, it was resolved, That the Committee ask leave of the House to sit ih the afternoon. The Committee resumed at 3 p.m., when an order of reference granting leave to sit was read. The following gave evidence, and were questioned by members of the Committee, the Public Service Commissioner, Government Actuary, and Mr. Millar: Sidney John Harrison, General Secretary, New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, Incorporated ; Thomas Leonard James, Vice President, New Zealand Technical School Teachers' Association (Registered); Major-General SinclairBurgess, Commanding New Zealand Military Forces. All strangers withdrew, and discussion ensued on the work of the members of the Committee during the adjournment of the House. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. W. Nash, That all statements be printed and circulated to members of the Committee during the adjournment. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Hargest, That all returns asked for be circulated during the adjournment. The Clerk was instructed to print evidence in page form after waiting a reasonable time for corrected proofs from members, and ask all persons desiring to give evidence to send in statements that should be circulated. The Clerk was directed to ask the Government Actuary and Public Service Commissioner to prepare evidence in reply. The Committee continued to sit until 5.30 p.m., and then adjourned until the reassembly of the House in January. Thursday, the 9th Day of February, 1933. The Committee met pursuant to notice at 10.30 a.m. Present: Mr. J. A. Nash (Chairman), Mr. Bodkin, Mr. McCombs, Mr. W. Nash, and Mr. Veitch. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following were admitted to the committee-room : Mr. Gostelow, Government Actuary ; accredited representatives of the press ; representatives of Civil Service organizations and supeiannuitants. A request was made by Mr. Millar that his organization and others be provided with a copy of the evidence given by the Government Actuary. After discussion, it was decided that the Chairman obtain Mr. Speaker's ruling whether the evidence could be supplied or not, and when this was obtained the Clerk was instructed to act accordingly. The Chairman explained to members the evidence to come forward, and it was decided to go into deliberation on confidential statements before the Committee. All strangers then withdrew. The Committee continued to sit until 12 noon, and then adjourned until Wednesdav the 15th February, 1933. J ' Wednesday, the 15th Day op February, 1933. The Committee met pursuant to notice at 11 a.m. Present: Mr. J. A. Nash (Chairman), Mr. Ansell, Mr. Dickie, Mr. Hargest, Mr. W. Nash, Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata, Mr. Savage, and Mr. Veitch. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, 011 motion of Mr. J. A. Nash, That letters received be included in the minutes of evidence, and be printed. The following were admitted to the committee-room : Mr. Verschaflelt, Public Service Commissioner ; Mr. Gostelow, Government Actuary ; representatives of the press ; and representatives of Government organizations and superannuitants. Colonel T. W. McDonald gave evidence, and was questioned by members, the Public Service Commissioner, and Mr. Gostelow. The Committee decided to deliberate on confidential statements, and all strangers withdrew. Resolved, on motion of Mr. W. Nash, That the Public Trustee be requested to attend next meeting to discuss his confidential report. Resolved, 011 the motion of Mr. J. A. Nash, That Mr. Parsonson and Mr. Lundius be called to give evidence next sitting-day. The Committee continued to sit until 12.45 p.m., and then adjourned. Thursday, the 23rd Day op February, 1933. The Committee met pursuant to notice at 11 a.m. Present: Mr. J. A. Nash (Chairman), Mr. Dickie, Mr. Hargest, Mr. W. Nash, Mr. Savage and Mr. Veitch. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. C. Gostelow, Government Actuary, was admitted to the committee-room to hear a confidential statement of Mr. J. W. Macdonald, Public Trustee. Resolved, on motion of Mr. J. A. Nash, That the first portion of the Public Trustee's evidence remain confidential to the Committee, and the second portion be printed and circulated. Mr. Walter Edward Parsonson, of Lower Hutt, and Mr. Harry Lundius, of Wellington, retired Civil servants, gave evidence, and were questioned by members of the Committee. The Committee continued to sit until 12.45 p.m.', and then adjourned.

VII