Superannuated Public Servants

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7240, 21 August 1933, Page 5

Superannuated Public Servants

P.N. BRANCH ADDRESSED BY DOMINION PRESIDENT A meeting "convened by tlie Palmerston North, branch of the Superannuated Public Servants’ Association was held last week to • hear an address by the Dominion president (Mr. W. M. Wright) of the association. Mr. R. B. Eydor presided and before calling upon the speaker detailed the steps that had been taken locally to prepare evidence and send delegates to appear before the special Parliamentary committee appointed to take evidence on the Superannuation Acts' Amendment Bill introduced last session. He emphasised on the members tne desirability of assisting their representatives in Parliament by getting into touch with them and supplying such information as might be helpful in placing the position clearly before them. In conclusion, he urged the importance to all superannuitants ."joining the association, thus giving additional strength and united action. Mr. Wright then addressed the meeting. He explained the part played by the Economy Commission in making the recommendations contained in the Bill, pointing out that it had of necessity to depend upon tho report of the Government Actuary. He thought it unfortunate that the executive of the association' had not yet had an opportunity of cross-examining that gentleman upon his’ evidence given to the Parliamentary committee, but thought if found necessary this would be permitted later. He detailed the stops taken by the executive of tho association, the first being the arranging for a deputation to the Premier requesting that subsidies and interest owing by the State up to date of the interview bo paid into the various superannuation funds.' Subsequently the preparation of evidence relating to each branch of the Government service was undertaken, and its presentation to the committee by witnesses specially qualified to give reliable and accurate information regarding the respective branches for which they appeared was arranged. Mr. Wright made it clear that great pains had been taken to place helpful and absolutely reliable evidence before the committee. He regretted that, though there were 12 members on this committee, the demands made upon them by Parliamentary duties did not enable a majority to be. present regularly to hear the evidence as given and satisfy themselves by cross-examination where desirable. He remarked that tho members for,Palmerston and Hutt were two present at practically every sitting,the former being chairman of the committee. Mr. Wright dealt with various other matters of interest to members in connection with the work of the association. He stressed the importance of superannuitants from all branches of fho public service being united so that strength and uniformity of action would be secured in the. interests of all. As evidencing further the good work done by the executive in appearing before tho committee, he announced that they had succeeded in pressing home their claim to have superannuation classed as' earned income for taxation purposes instead of as unearned,, thus securing considerable relief for those concerned. In his opinion, there was every probability that it would not be found dcsirablo to proceed with such a controversial measure as the Bill at the coming session of Parliament when much important and probably contentious business would first have to be dealt with. In any case, ho urged, his hearers should be optimistic, for ho felt that recent experience in connection with the payment of interest in London would emphasise in the minds of the Premier and his colleagues tho harmful effects that would follow such a serious act of repudiation and breach of contract as contemplated in the Bill; while the very complete and convincing evidence submitted to the committee was sure to have a most important influence upon the matter. Above all, he concluded, the association could rely on tho high, sense of honour of the members of the House to ensure that a majority would not be found prepared to sanction any such injustice. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speaker for his instructive address.