SUPERANNUATION POLICY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21744, 28 March 1936, Page 16

SUPERANNUATION POLICY

' , GOVERNMENT SERVANTS* POSITION PRIME MINISTER’S VIEWS [From Our parliamentary Reporter.! WELLINGTON. March 27. The Prime Minister (the Hon. M. J. Savage) mentioned to-day that a policy statement on superannuation retirements might be expected when the Government had disposed of its more urgent business. Mr Savage was discussing the suggestion that all Government servants should be retired on superannuation after 40 years’ service, with particular reference to the possible effects in several instances where departmental heads have completed or are about to complete the stipulated term.

Already the Commissioner of Police (Mr W. G. Wohlmann) has himself retired after 42 years’ service. His retirement is to take effect front the end of the month; and it has been suggested that several others holding high positions in the civil service may be in the same position. “The whole question is entirely one of policy,” Mr Savage said, “No man is indispensable; but on the other hand it might be necessary in some cases to retain a man over the 40-year period until a suitable successor can be found. However, the whole suggestion of superannuation after 40 years’ service is part and parcel of our aim to give men the opportunities for increased leisure which science has provided.”