FORMER CIVIL SERVANTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21249, 1 August 1932, Page 10

FORMER CIVIL SERVANTS

SUPERANNUATED MEMBERS CONSEQUENCES OF ECONOMIES A year of successful activity was reported by Mr. G. Girling Butcher, president of the New Zealand Federated Superannuated Public Servants* Association, st the annual meeting in Wellington. Since the association was formed In 1920, the president said in his report, it had been active in protecting members' interests. Unsuccessful efforts had been made by the executive to have superannuation allowances assessed as earned Income for taxation purposes. The Government had decided to reduce the cost-of-living bonus hitherto granted to some annuitants receiving less than £IOO yearly. The maximum was ■ now fixed at £9O » year, which meant that the bonus of £26 was to be reduced by £1 for each £1 of the annuity in excess of £64. "In the present time of economic stress we must expect and bear,such imposts of taxation as the necessities of the State demand, but there is a fear, when a breach of private contracts has been legalised, that a.n attempt on similar lines may be made in our case," Mr. Girling Bntcher added. The question of superannuation would bo raised at the next session of Parliament, when the report of the National Expenditure Commission was presented, and the association would have to be prepared to resis;. any proposals detrimental to the members' interests.