SUPERANNUATION.

Northern Advocate, 30 July 1924, Page 8

SUPERANNUATION.

FOR LOCAL BODY WORKERS,

BILL INTRODUCED,

WELLINGTON, This Day,

When the Hon. G. J. Anderson moved to introduce the Local Authorities Superannuation Amendment Bill several members expressed their views as to what such a measure ought to contain.

Mr J. O'Brien (Westland) said it was quite time that some superannuation was provided for those who worked, for local bodies. It was found that aft'er men had worked for losal bodies for a number of years such bodies were compelled to put them off. Many men who did laborious work on roads did not last till they were well on in

years and had to be put off while they still had young families to rear. There were local bodies who Mere sympathetic with their employees and did their beat to keep the men on, even after they had grown old, doing this rather than seo them depdnd on charity. He thought every local authority was up against this problem and he hoped the Bill made proper provision to meet the situation.

Mr M. J. Savage (Auckland West) suggested universal superannuation, and Mr T. M. Wilford, Opposition Leader, endorsed this idea.

Eeplying, the Minister said that the Bill gave power to local bodies to reduce retiring allowances in order to increase annuities to widows, and provided that no reduction should be made in pensions on account of any compensation payable under the Workers Compensation Act.

The Bill was introduced and read a first time.