Conference Next Month On Retirement Planning

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30110, 19 April 1963, Page 8

Conference Next Month On Retirement Planning

A special body to deal with the problems of retirement may be formed after a conference on preparation for retirement at the Adult Education Department of the University of Canterbury on May 17 and 18.

Final plans for the conference, the first of its kind in New Zealand, were announced last night by the Mid-Canterbury tutor of the department, Mr I. G. Clark Medical, business and university authorities will lead discussions on the early preparation which is necessary to ensure a full and rewarding life after retirement from “routine, gainful employment.” The frustration and disharmony resulting from an unplanned retirement could in vol/ j both the community and individuals, Mr Clark said. Unexpected economic changes, the enforced reduction of working hours, or the occurrence of disability, could lead to premature retirement from work, but not necessarily from life. At the conference it was hoped to obtain a pooling of ideas which would be of permanent assistance to any

that he or she could plan for recreational or socially useful activities which would benefit both the individual and the community. “Retirement is a third phase in life, following the educational or training period and the working period, and it should be just as full an productive as the other two phases,” said Mr Clark. “People cannot begin to plan too early for the unaccustomed leisure which they will ,or should, enjoy some they retire. “Injury or some other cir- < umstance can mean an early reti cment from a working life, and unless a person plans well ahead retirement can simply mean boredom,” he said.

A special organisation, similar to the vocational g idance system, could be formed outside the university’s organisation, after the conference, Mr Clark said. Th, originators of the conference idea, some of whom will give addresses or participate in panel discussions, are Dr. F. S. Airey, Mr A. A. Anderson (an engineer), Dr. W. R. Holmes, Mr J. Tasker (District Administrator of Public Health), Mrs W. Grant L..e Dominion president, of the National Council of Women), the Rev. W. Falkingham (director of the Methodist Central Mission), and Mr D. H. Hemsley (a company director).

Applications for attendance at the conference are now being invited by the Adult Education Department.