PROFITABLE RETIREMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 October 1930, Page 7

PROFITABLE RETIREMENT

GRANT TO TREASURY OFFICIAL PROTEST IN HOUSE [SPECIAL TO “STAB.”] I WELLINGTON, October 24. , The grant of £725 to R. E. Hayes, former Secretary of the Treasury, in lieu of accumulated leave, was criticised in the House, to-day, during a debate on the Appropriation Bil. Mr Martin protested- against the vote of £725 to Hayes in lieu of accumulated leave, and he also protested against the practice of paying officers who had not taken advantage of the superannuation system sums of money on retirement. When Mr Hayes retired last year he received £725 as six months’ salary for leave of absence, and was also appointed Financial Adviser to the Government, at a salary of £5OO per annum. He was receiving more now than he was receiving before he retired. Hayes complained that he had not received holidays for seven years, but during that time he had a trip to England and a trip to Australia. He was also continually getting leave of absence, and yet he was so little concerned with the finances of the country that he had asked for payment of this money. Mr McDonald said it seemed to be aii established fact that once an officer was Secretary of the Treasury he was “right for life.’’ It was made certain that lie went out of office with a fine continued salary and possibly more than he received when he was fully employed. “I don’t begrudge the servant who is referred to, the money that is being voted to him,” said Mr Armstrong. “I imagine that it is in accordance with the usual custom. The custom has been to treat very handsomely, when they are retiring, those officers who have been treated remarkably well all their lives, and to throty on the scrap heap, when they are finished with, the lowest paid workers who have served the State, just as the higher paid officers.” Mr Wright regarded the vote as a matter of bare justice to the ex-Secre-taiy to th© Treasury. Treasury transactions called for the use of the best brains in the country.

Mr McDonald asked why didn’t they keep him then? Mr Wright: The present Secretary to the Treasury is unoubtedly quite capable of filling his job, but I venture to say that the best financial man in the world is entitled to get the advico of experienced men at times.

UNEMPLOYMENT REGISTRATION.

A question in respect to the unemployment scheme was asked by Mr Wright. He wished to know if the local bodies employing casual labour on relief works will be held responsible under the Unemployment Act to see that the men are registered, many of whom may be employed for more than seven days but. less than one month? If so, will this not compel the local body to considerably increase its staff for the purpose of ascertaining whether each worker has complied with the provisions of the Act, and will the regulations empower any employer of labour to collect from the worker the amount of the levy of 30/per year, at the rate of 7/6 per quarter and pay the money to the credit of the Department concerned? The Minister of Labour (Mr Smith) said the responsibility for registering was imposed on every male person, and it was also clearly the responsibility of employers to see that their employees were registered. All the employers would have to do would be •to see that the men had the necessary papers, and this would not necessitate any extra staff. Probably the Board would .make arrangements whereby local bodies and large employers could deduct the levy from the wages of employees and pay the money in to the Board. This would facilitate the collection of the levy. Mr Wright: When’ will the Board bo set up? Mr Smith said the nominations closed on November 7, and it was hoped to have, it set up as soon as possible after that date.

RAILWAY FARES & FREIGHTS. Mr Macmillan asked the Minister of Railways if it w'as intended to give effect to that portion of the Railway Commission’s report which recommends increases in railway fares and freights. The Minister (Mr Veitch) replied that some of the increases had been approved by Cabinet, while others were still under consideration. Details would be made public shortly.