GOVERNMENT RETRENCHMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20989, 28 September 1931, Page 11

GOVERNMENT RETRENCHMENT.

Sir,—We are informed that severe hardship will be suffered by a number of retrenched railway employees because their superannuation will be so much less than it would be if they served the normal period. One is very sorry for any retrenched person, but I think that the general Public Service attitude is absurdly lacking in proportion. It would seem that the average Government employee regards his appointment as a definite contract for a definite term, after which he must be paid a definite pension and that, come what may in the way of economic dislocation, nothing should touch his sacred rights. I shall not labour the point, but would ask the public servants to consider wherein their rights are any more sacred than those of other people. Compare the circumstances of a man retiring after 30 years with a pension of £155, with those of another who is discharged without any pension, or any means beyond what he has accumulated by way of insurance or saved without the splendid aid of a superannuation fund. Is it suggested that the quality of service is so superior in a Government department that it is entitled to such extraordinary rewards ? Stat« employees are the pampered darlings of the country. What other men can expect to retire after 35 years on two-thirds of their retiring salary ? But they have to help to pay the taxes that make this possible in the State service. No Respite.