Superannuation Withheld—Accused

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30513, 7 August 1964, Page 3

Superannuation Withheld—Accused

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, August 6. A farm manager, Spencer James Southerland, aged 39, who admitted the theft of £55 as a servant of Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd., and was remanded for a week by Mr J. D. Willis, S.M., today, alleged the company had withheld his superannuation.

The Magistrate said he intended to inquire into Sutherland’s statement that the company had refused to pay him his superannuation so that he could make good his debt to the firm.

“Hl have something to say about it in public,” he said.

The Magistrate said that if a man was to receive £lO,OOO in superannuation and then stole £5O, the company had the right to keep the remainder.

“The company would make £9950,” he said.

Detective-Sergeant J. D. Meates said Sutherland was formerly branch manager of the company’s store at Roxburgh and at the end of June when a new manager went to the store it was found that £155 was missing from the cash held there. 1.0. U. notes had been left. These at first were met by Sutherland, but later were not.

Entertained Clients Sutherland told the police he had spent the money entertaining clients. He had intended to pay it back from his superannuation from

which £244 was owing, but the company had indicated that it would not now pay this to him. Sutherland was married with two children. His counsel, Mr A. J. H. Jeavons, said Sutherland first received £BOO a year from which he paid £3 15s a week for rent. The salary had increased over the years to about £lOOO. Sutherland’s position required “ambassadorial duties” on behalf of the company and this cost a considerable sum. He was in a constant state of financial embarrassment. Decided to Resign

About a year ago Sutherland became “fed up” with the job and decided to resign.

He had not paid back the money because he knew he had superannuation coming to him. During this time a complete account was kept of the money borrowed. His wife had the money to pay the amount owing from her personal savings.

Mr Jeavons said it was unreasonable to expect Sutherland to go into a hotel with 20 farmers, perhaps have two meals a day away from his home, and yet receive only £1 5s a week expenses.