SUPERANNUATION BENEFITS

Evening Star, Issue 25635, 8 November 1945, Page 10

SUPERANNUATION BENEFITS

ANOMALOUS RETIRING ALLOWANCES COMPARISON WITH B.N.Z. SCHEME (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Nov. 7. The position of the staff of the Bank of New Zealand when it is brought under Government control was discussed at the final session of the conference of the Public Service Association to-day. A resolution was carried that the conference “ disapproves of the fact that the officers employed in the Bank of New Zealand are not bein" brought under the control of the Public Service Commissioner, and instructs the executive committee to make representations to the Government with a view to having this action reconsidered.” The conference considered that the method adopted by the Government could only add to the confusion which existed at present in regard to salaries and working conditions in the Public Service, states a report issued' by the conference, and that it was at variance with the Prime Minister’s own statement when opening the conference, to the effect that a greater degree of uniformity in these matters was essential.

The'question of superannuation was discussed by the conference. Satisfaction was expressed at the Government’s proposal to amend l the existing legislation. The hope was expressed that the amendments would remove the many anomalies which at present prevented the Government’s superan-

nuation scheme from fulfilling its proper functions—which .should be to ■form ‘the basis of a stable and contented Public Service. Among the anomalies particularly referred to by delegates were the inequitable £3OO limit on retiring allowances, and the poor provision made for employees who died before they reached the retiring age. •* The report added that the existing provisions contrasted unfavourably with the comparatively generous provision made for the bank employees, who were now to become ipublic servants and whose superannuation benefits the State proposed to continue.