FOR SUPERANNUATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13869, 1 October 1908, Page 6

FOR SUPERANNUATION.

AMENDING MEASURE. THE PUBLIC SERVICE. [B'i rELEG!Ur>ir.--SPECIAr, CORRESPONDENT.] ( Wellington', Wednesday. TtiK Public Service Classification and Superannuation Amendment Bill, which was introduced early this morning, provides for (1) a new scheme of superannuation for tho education service, which, as far as practicable, will bo the same as that established for tho public service; (2) placing the police forco in the same position as the rest of the public service in regard to superannuation : (3) making certain miscellaneous amendments in the public service superannuation scheme; and (A) making provisions respecting broken time in the railway service. Tho teachers', superannuation scheme is to continue to exist separately, but the retiring allowance for contributors is based on their final salary, instead of their average salary during the period of their service. Existing contributors will count the whole of their back service instead of only one-half -f it as at present. An annual subsidy of £7000 is provided for the Teachers' Superannuation Fund, corresponding to the subsidy of £20,000 provided by the) Act of 1907 for the Public Service Superannuation Fund. THE POLICE FORCE. The Police Provident Fund and the machinery attached thereto are abolished, and tho liabilities of the fund are- transferred to tho Public Service Superannuation Fund. Tho Police Department will have the right to elect vne member of the Superannuation Board. All persons 'hereafter appointed to the police force are to become contributors, to the Public Service Superannuation Fund on thv. same tonus as other public servants. All existing contributors to tho Police Provident Fund become on tho passing of the Act contributors to the Public Service Superannuation Fund on the same terms as other public servants, save that within six months from the passing of the Act any such contributor may elect to remain subject to tho existing provisions governing police superannuation. The Government subsidy of £20,000 provided by the Public Service Superannuation Act, 1907, is increased by £3000 to meet the additional expenditure imposed on the fund by. the inclusion of the police force. Tho special allowance to police officers injured in tho execution of their duty is retained. It is made clear that any contributor who attains the required age or length of service is entitled to retiring allowance, whether he retires voluntarily or compulsorily. After five years' service a temporary servant becomes a permanent official. This provision, by virtue of the Bill, is extended to the post and telegraph service. RAILWAY SERVANTS. In regard to those railway workers who struck work in 1890, during the maritime strike, provision is made that upon payment to the Government Railways Superannuation Fund of £1500 the broken time and preceding continuous time will be allowed to count. A ballo* of members of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants is now being taken upon the advisability of paying £1500' to the fund, as proposed by the Bill. The measure also lays down general provisions for counting broken service in the Railway Department if the break occurred prior to the passing of the principal Act in 1902. " / LOCAL AUTHORITIES' SCHEME. A Bill to authorise the establishment of superannuation funds for tlio benefit of employees . of local authorities, was also brought down. The measure provides that a local authority may establish such a fund, setting out the classes of employees who shall be entitled to become contributors to the fund, the amount to be paid to the fund by way of subsidy, and so on. The local authority must keep the fund solvent, and a statement of the fund audited by the audit office must bo laid before Parliament every year. Every three years thero mttet bo an : actuarial investigation into tho fund, and that report also must be submitted to Parliament. The rates. of contributors to the fund are fixed as follows:—s per cent, of salary, up to 30 years; 6 per cent, from 30 to 35 ■ years 7 per cent., from 35 to 40 years .8 per cent., from 40 to 45 years; 9 per cent., from 45 to 50 years; 10 per cent., over 50 years. The payments so made are to be paid to the Public Trustee,. Retiring allowances are to be paid in the case of. a- male for over 40 years' service and after 65 years of age, and in the case of a, female after 50 years' service and over 55 years of age. The allowance is to be onesixtieth part of the annual salary for every year of service. Provision is "also made for contributors retiring when medically unfit, or leaving the service of the local body, and for payment to the widow and children in case of the death of a contributor.