RETIRING AGE.

Northern Advocate, 19 October 1920, Page 4

RETIRING AGE.

OTAGO WOMEN TEACHERS

PROTEST,

The following three requests were made in a petition presented to the House of Representatives by F. L. Dillon and 29 others: —(a) That in view of the high cost of living, the rate of superannuation for superannuated women teachers should be increased." (h) That legislation should be passed io prevent, compulsory retirement at (lie age of 55 years, (c) That receipts for superannuation allowances should be exempt from stamp duty.

The Education Committee has reported to Ihe House upon the petition. With regard to (a) the committee had t;o recommendation io make, as the matter was one of policy. The protest against compulsory retirement, at the age of 55 is proposed <to refer to the Government for favourable consideration. "The committee finds,"- the chairroand stated, "that the action of boards is not uniform."

In the Otago district, said Mr C. E. Statham, the board required the retirement of women teachers at the age of 55 it proposed to refer to the come before the committee and they had shown that notwithstanding their enforcedfl retirement they were reemployed as relieving teachersf c He hoped that the Government would alter the Education Act to give teachers a right of appeal against retirement before the age of 60. Those who wore retired at the age of 55 not only lost the salary they would have received up to the ago of \jo, but also received a lower rate of superannuation. The payment of superannuation should be placed on the same footing as the payment of salary or wages, and the receipts exempted from liability to stamp duty. Several members supported Mr Statham's contentions.

The petition was referred to the Go vernment for favourable consideration