WHEN SHOULD A MAN RETIRE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 5 April 1926, Page 8

WHEN SHOULD A MAN RETIRE.

EFFICIENCY OF THE ELDERLY. At what age should a business man retire/ Sir Woodman Burbidge, chairman and managing director of Harrods and associated companies, with a stall' of 13,000, opening the Business Eiiiciency Exhibition at Westminster, declared that many businesses had been ruined by old fashioned methods and old-fashioned men, who had often to some extent let industry go back by trying to keep their positions too long. Young men, he urged, should be given their opportunities.

Afterwards Sir Woodman, who is 53, said: ‘‘A business man should retire at 60. After that age he becomes sympathetic, tired, lacks initiative, and will not take risks. Sympathy has no place in business.

Sir Herbert .Morgan, director oi Loser Bros., Ltd., who is 49, challenges Sir Woodman’s contention. He said: “1 think it is tli,A elderly men, despite what may be saiu to the contrary, who matter in business to-day. One has only t.u look round at the great commercial concerns, the big banks, insurance companies, and the like, and it will be found that it is men who are well over 50 who are in control. Business efecioncy implies both experience and judgment, which are frequently more highly developed between the ages of 55 and 70.

Sir liolberry Mensforth, DirectorGeneral of Factories at the War Office, Who has been appointed managing director of Messrs Bolckow, Vaughan, and Co., Ltd., the iron, steel, and colliery company of Middlesbrough, also disagrees with Sir Woodman Burbidge. “It. is a question of mental capacity,” he said. “If this fails a man at 40 then he should retire; but, on the other hand, he may be still mentally vigorous at SO. ” Sir Harold Bowden, managing director of (lie Raleigh Cycle Company, Ltd., Nottingham, who is 45, says: “So long as a man is efficient it does not matter about his age, but I think a man is probably at his best between the ages of 45 and 55 and can give his best to business. On the other hand, there tire many eases of firms which are going down hill because the managing di rectors will not retire.”