Superannuation Bill Discussed In House

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 November 1947, Page 6

Superannuation Bill Discussed In House

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The House could sit until Christmas and beyond, if that were necessary to conduct the country’s business properly, said the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, when the House of Representatives met this morning. He had earlier stated that he would like the House to aim at concluding the session on Wednesday, November 26, but that was merely a target at which he wanted the Government and the House to aim; “The actual termination of the session is the day on which the House itself feels it has given adequate attention to the country’s business,’’ said the Prime Minister. “We are not in the dying l|burs of the session at the present time. If it is necessary in the country’s interest, we can go on to Christmas and beyond. It is entirely a matter for the House to decide.” Tribute To Opposition Mr Fraser said there had been excellent co-operation in the House this session and he would like to express his appreciation to the Opposition for the manner in which, while discharging their duties of an Opposition in the proper Parliamentary manner, they had co-operated in carrying through the legislative programme. It would be a reflection on the House if any opportunities for discussion on public problems were denied. The closure had not been applied once this session and he hoped it would not. He hoped the co-operative spirit which had so far been evident would continue. 1

“I would hot like any member on either side of the House to feel that these was any subject which had not been adequately discussed. If important legislation were rushed through, merely because the leader of the House had announced a certain date as the date when the session should end, that would be superseding the prerogatives of Parliament, and I have no wish to do that. Parliament will do its job as it feels i proper,” said Mr Fraser. I Mr W. A. Sheat (Opposition, Pa- I tea) in notice of a question to thej Prime Minister asked ; if he was of the opinion that a quick turn-round of ships, so urgently needed as a contribution to the Aid-to-Britain campaign, was likely to be furthered by the practice of including political propaganda addresses in the programme for stop work meetings of the Waterside Workers’ Union. If not, what steps would the Government

take to discourage this practice? .Mr Sheat said it had beerureported that Mr M. Moohan, Labour, M.P. for Petone, had yesterday addressed the Wellington watersiders on the policy and legislative programme of the Government. The Postmaster-General, Mr F. Hackett: What’s wrong with that? The Minister of Finance, Mr Nash, moving the second reading of the Superannuation Bill, said there would be a number of amendments made to the measure and the two major ones were that the training college period for teachers would be taken into account for superannuation purposes; the right would be given to contribute to the fund at 17 years of age instead of 20 years; and the right would be given to retire at 58 years with the consent of the Superannuation Board, which must take into account the circumstances of the particular employment. Persons Affected Mr Nash said the Bill was a long one of 91 clauses, which consolidated the legislative provisions which had been dispersed in Acts of Parliament over the last 40 years, but in particular the last 20 years. The number of persons who would be affected by the Bill totalled 56,400 and included 18,000 public servants, 14,000 railway employees, 11,000 teachers, 12,000 Post and Telegraph employees, and 1400 members of the Police Force. There were also 9000 annuitants involved and 1400 widows receiving retiring benefits. The aggregate contributions to the fund would aggregate £ 1,050;000 and the retiring allowances would slightly exceed £2,000,000. The Minister’ said an endeavour had been made to arrive at uniformity and to remove various anomalies between the different contributing branches.

Discussing the clause which is to be amended to permit retirement at 58 years of age with the consent of the Superannuation Board, Mr Nash said he personally saw no harm in every member of the community working until 60 years of age if they were able to do so. However he readily acknowledged that some arduous occupations, such as enginedriving, might in 30 or more years affect the normal possibilities of enjoyment of life and it was logical that the persons engaged in such callings should have the right to retire at 58 if they chose. The provisions for contributions starting at 17 instead of 20 was an adjustment associated with this concession. It would enable those who might retire at 58 to make their full contributions to the fund. Mr G. H. Mackley (Opposition, Masterton): That is a long' way better.