IS IT FEASIBLE?

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1248, 5 October 1911, Page 2

IS IT FEASIBLE?

OLD AGE SCHEME. FOR EMPLOYEES OF ALL LOCAL' BODIES. HUGE PROPOSAL. A very interesting; discussion on tho possibility of establishing a eupovannuotion fund for Hid employers of local bodies occurred at tlio Harbours' Association Conference yesterday. Mr. A. Bain (lilud) moved: "That tho Government l>i> requested to include Harbour Hoard employees in tl)o Civil Scrvico superannuation sclieme, the Harbour Boards to make such contribution to tho iund, and to have such representation ou the board as should bo deemed to lw proportionate} 1o the interests involved." Ho believed Hut tlio Government' would agree and lhat the contribution from tho Harbour Boards would not bo excessive. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bruoe. A Comprehensive Scheme. Mr. A. E. ,Tul] (.Napier) moved by waj of amendment: "That in liou of tho powers given under tho Local Authorities Superannuation Act, l!) 08, it is desirablo that the Government iulroduce a set of annuity tables in conjunction with the National Provident tables under which tho employees of Harbour Boards and other local authorities may contribute, with such assistance from such local authorities as may be determined for the purpose of providing a uniform, stable, and comprehensive' system of superannuation." Under tho Local Authorities Superannuation Act, ho said, power was given for tho inauguration of a superannuation scheme ciiher by one local authority or by a number acting in conjunction. He believed that ho was right in statins that' no such scheme had yet teen adopted. Tho difficulties in t>lo vny wi>ro very considerable. Ouo objection to such a scheme was that an employee of, say, the Wellington Harbour Board to-day might be in the employment of Hie Auckland City Council to-morrow, nnd, in conscgucncc, tho continuation of his contributions was broken. There would not be- tho same unanimity among employees in joining a fund of such a local character as thcro would be with a more general scheme Something was required which would allow a person to remain in Hie sclieme (irrcepectivo of his future employment) onco he had joined it. In the National Provident Act, a great number of benefits were set out, which were not applicable to superannuation only. If this siiugcslion were carried out, Hie local authorities would avoid any liability in regard to tho solvency of the scheme. It would l>o an advantage if every employee of a local body joined in the scheme. It would have the effect of inducing employees to make provision for their old age, and a healthier tone amongst tlio workers would result in lhat respect. The fund would be established under State control, and the local authorities would have nothing to do with its solvency. In reply to a question. Mr. Jull stated that it was a matter of policy whether or not the employees should be compelled (o join. Tho time might come when tlio local authorities would mako it compulsory. Mr. H. Friedlander (Lyttelton) distrusted the scheme, which did not seem to hi in to be ono that could be made actunrially sound. The Old Men's Lot. Mr. J. Loudou (Dunedin) supported the amendment. He favoured the idea of establishing a scheme which would include tun employees of all local authorities. Mr. A. Kayo (Lyttelton) approved Mr. .lull's scheme in some respects, but did not think that tho conferenco should be bound by it. The superannuation diiliciilty was one of the biggest that harbour Ixinrils had ever had. All hoards' employees were getting older and older, and sumo uf them less lit lor duty. The boards had not tho heart to turn them oil', and they were not allowed to pension them, and so the old men were nopt an and given lighter jobs until they became incapable of any work at all. At tho same time, ho was not in favour of adopting tho schemo out of hand. Ho thought rather that it should bo handed over to the executive, and bo considered by tho boards separately. Mr \V. Belcher (Otago) supported tho amendment. If the Government could bo approached and induced to bring into existence a scheme eiinilar to that outlined by Mr. .lull, it would he good for local bodies ami £ood for their employees, and tho larger and !ho wider the scope of (.lie schemo, the uioi-e cheaply it- could bo run: If the Government would not do anything, tho boards might unite.in :ippionching She Government Insurance Department with a view to getting them M arrange a sot of tables which might serve. Mr. Murray (Wanganni) supported tho amendment. He thought IJiat the proposal ivould prove sound enough, for behind the fund would bo tho local bodies as guarantors, and behind thorn the State. "A Rod Herring." Mr. A. Bain (Bluff) thought ts» amend* nicnt was a red herring the socnt to prevent tho coni'ereuce Irom arriving at spjno finality. It was quite evident to him that delegates were not prepared to agree that the boards should contribute towards the fund. If. flic members were serious in their desire to do something, there could bo 110 po&siblo harm in passing both motion and amendment. Hβ islicd the conferenco to pass tJJC motion, and to let Mr. Jull give notice of his motion in the ordinary way. They had been on this subject for years, and they ii-ero no further forward with it lliaa ivhen they began. .< ~,,,, Mr. Jull, in reply, repudiated the sngjoslion that he wished Us prevent a praoarable scheme being brought forward. Tho amendment was carried on the roices. ___________