“Wanting It Both Ways”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31224, 23 November 1966, Page 1

“Wanting It Both Ways”

(N Z. Press Association? WELLINGTON, Nov. 22. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) was today accused of “trying to have it both ways’* on the issue of Government superannuation. The Combined State Service Organisations said in a statement tonight: “On the one hand, he seeks to avoid any firm pre-election commitment to adjust superannuation allowances, and on the other hand he wants to use an undertaking to discuss the question after the

election as a gag to silence criticism.

“Before the last election we were persuaded not to raise the question as a political issue by the assurance of the Minister of Finance (Mr Lake) that it would be sympathetically considered in the New Year. “We have tried over the intervening three years to make progress, but without success. “In fact, a few weeks ago, Mr Lake told us that the Government had decided to take no action. “Although we had unsuccessfully sought an interview with the Prime Minister for six months, he eventually asked the organisations to meet him last week. “In spite of his earlier utterances in Timaru, and elsewhere, the Prime Minister

conceded that there should have been discussions and these had not taken place. “Mr Holyoake informed representatives of the Combined State Service Organisations and the two superannuitants’ associations that the Government’s refusal was not final. “He also stated that the Government would be prepared to re-examine the matter and open discussions on it immediately after the election.

“As he was unable to give any firm favourable decision, he said he desired nothing said at the interview to affect the election' “It appeared that the Prime Minister was dissatisfied with the way in which his colleagues had handled the matter.

“The adverse decision had been reached by the Cabinet in his absence.

“Against this background, the organisations accepted his undertaking to reopen the question after the election as a sincere one.

“His latest outburst, however, raises the suspicion that his undertaking was no more than a political stunt, like Mr Lake’s even more favourable undertaking on the eve of the last election three years ago. “State servants and superannuitants will question whether they can place any more reliance on the Prime Minister’s undertaking than they can on the innumerable expressions of ‘sympathy’ governments have given them on this question over the last 10 or 20 years.”