POLICE SUPERANNUATION FUND.

Evening Star, Issue 8506, 4 May 1891, Page 4

POLICE SUPERANNUATION FUND.

SO THE EDITOR. Sir,—For the sake of bringing prominently before the public an important question, now that we are on the eve of a parliamentary session, I beg to submit scheme for a superannuation fund for the polioe force of New Zealand. I say an important ques. tion, because I feel sure the people of this law-abiding colony are disposed to render to the strong arm of the law—the guardians of life and property due recognition and encouragement. The system of working men well and paying them well, even in the police force, is attended with most satisfactory results, as I found by some years' experience of the practical working of a police superannuation fund in the commercial city of a neighboring colony. I name this fact as my credentials for writing on the subject. Of course, the whole question is one for parliamentary enactment or rejection; and, as public opinion is the forerunner and guide of all legislation, the time I take it is opportune for considering the desirability of a police superannuation fund for the colony. | I would propose to raise a fund as follows :

Eighteen deteotlves and four sergeantmajors, each contributing 6d per day .. .. !. .. £209 15 0 Four hundred and forty-seven constables, eaoh 4d per day .. .. 2,719 6 0 Per annum .. «. .. £2,920 0 0 This annual contribution by the members of the entire force in the colony to be supplemented by a moiety or other proportion of police office fines and fees, calculated to bring the fund up to whatever may be the amount of yearly claims for adequate superannuation allowanoe. This would do away with the retiring allowanoe at present granted by Government. The regulations, briefly put, would provide :

1. That the fund be a branch of and administered by the Government Life Insurance Department. 2. That each and every member of the force contribute towards the fund as per scale.

3. That members having served twentyone years shall have the option of retiring from the service and receiving at least 30s per week or more, according to rank. 4. That any member who may be disabled whilst in the due performance of his duty shall bo entitled to a weekly allowance. 5. That the benefits of the fund shall be i included and recognised from the date of each member joining the service. 6. In the event of any member dying suddenly an allowance of L— —, baaed on his length of service and rank, shall bo made to his widow or children. 7. No member who may be dismissed the service for crime or misconduct shall be entitled to participate in any benefits of the fund.—l am, etc., A.B. Dunedin, May 2.