RETIRING AGE LIMIT

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 54, 27 November 1930, Page 10

RETIRING AGE LIMIT

Public Hospital Officials CHRISTCHURCH DECISION Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, November 26. “I know that gentlemen prefer sweet young things, but our institutions are very greatly in need of women of matured judgment and experience,” said Mrs. Elizabeth R. McCombs at the meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board today. Mrs. McCombs was moving that the following clause be referred back to the finance committee: “With regard to superannuation, the hoard is recommended that female officers arriving at the age of 55 years or male officers reaching 65 years shall automatically retire unless the board desires to retain their services. • The officer being willing, further appointment will be for fixed periods." Mrs. McCombs said that it should not be necessary for women to retire at 55, and she referred to the fact that two of the chairmen of committees of the board were over 70. She would like to see the age limit raised. Mr. W. Anderson spoke of maintaining the high standard of service in the hospital, and the fact that the services of younger and more brilliant people might be available. Dr. P. S. Foster considered it a very dangerous thing to raise the age without any discrimination at all. The board should not be in the position of keeping people whether they were efficient or not. He thought the board should try to raise the standard of wages paid to nurses. The chairman (Mr. H. J. Otley) : The hospital is not run for the benefit of anyone but the sick. The clause is only a machinery one. Every case comes under review. Mr. J. S. Barnett said that by raising the age a disservice might be done to some people who might he prevented from getting out earlier into some other avenue of service. The clause was approved as tabled.