NATIONAL SUPERANNUATION.

Evening Star, Issue 22526, 19 December 1936, Page 14

NATIONAL SUPERANNUATION.

TO TUE EDITOR. Sir, —I notice that- the Hon. IU Semple, in discussing his proposed scheme for national superannuation, says:—“Not in the shape of the oldago pension pittance, but a reasonable reward for their life’s service. If we can do that wo will be the first country in the world to do so. I may be wrong, but think that, if, as I hope it will be, Mr Semple’s scheme becomes law, New Zealand will not be the first country in tho world to do so. Over half a century ago the Hon. Major Atkinson, generally known as a staunch Tory and then Premier, proposed a similar scheme, but his colleagues turned him down. [ was then young and enthusiastic, and warmly supported the Premier’s proposal, and wrote a pamphlet ‘ Thrift,’ advocating his ideas. In the course of my researches 1 discovered that Gemany had already adopted a national superannuation scheme, and it was working well. Whether or not it is still in existence I cannot say, but that country was certainly the first to adopt a similar method for assisting the aged to that proposed by Mr Semple. I hone, however, that the present Government will bo able to legislate on the lines proposed by Mr Semple, and that everyone, rich or poor, will bo entitled to a superannuation allowance when on reaching the age of 60.—1 am, etc., j Superannuated, December IS..