SUPERANNUATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7449, 25 May 1911, Page 1

SUPERANNUATION

FOR WHARF WORKERS HARBOUR. BOARD TO CONSIDER A SCHEME. Superannuation for the employees of tho Harbour Board was one of tho subjects discussed at last night’s meeting of the board. In accordance with notice tho chairman, Air R. Fletcher, moved; That it is desirable that a scheme of superannuation for tho employees of the board bo established, and that with this end in view the board obtain an actuarial report on the whole question showing what respective contributions from the board and the employees are necessary to nflnrd reasonable benefits to tho contributors as well as to make tho fund financially sound. Air Fletcher said it had always scorned to him that the present system was an inhumane way of treating men -who had served their employers faithfully and well, tor under it men were turned adrift, after the best had been got. out. of them, without tho slightest consideration. A system of superannuation was now being very largely adopted by local bodies, corporations, and other institutions, and it seemed to him a very humane way of treating good servants. It was the only means by which the hoard could do any. good to those of its servants who wore crippled by accident or retired through old age. To adopt rt would be a step in the right direction, and ho thought the board would he wise to pass his' motion. AVhen the report came down it could be fully discussed and if tho board thought it undesirable to go on, it could, of course, he dropped. Other harbour boards had taken tho question up, and, ho thought it- would be well for tho Wellington board to, at least, consider it. Tho matter had really been before the board for come years, and now hq proposed to give it a 'definite shape. ■ Tho motion was seconded by Air Jones, who said ho did so because it only proposed to make an inquiry. Ho rather doubted whether the number of permanent employees was sufficient to enable tho board to carry on tho,scheme proPCr!y ' A DOUBTER.

“I don’t think much good can come of this,” said Mr Hindmarsh, adding that he* would prefer to see the board going in for some scheme of unemployment insurance that would take in tho wharf labourers as well. If the thing was going to be done at. all it. should bo in such a comprehensive way that.the report-would be of value. The conditions under which tho wharf •labourers worked—a large number wanted one day and 'hone tho next—tended to demoralise them, and lie thought it was tho plain duty of the board to deal with the problem prouerly. Ho would movo as an amendment: That a . report be brought down upon tho whole' subject of wharf labour, including insurance against sickness, old age, -unemployment, and general disability. The amendment, was not seconded, and so lapsed. . , ~ In reply to Air J. AV. McEwan. the chairman said that his motion referred to permanent employees only, but in tho report the actuary would be asked to make some suggestion . for dealing with tho casuals. Tho board had over SCO permanent employees and perhaps 400 or SGO who could ho termed "permanent casuals.” He would bo quite willing to endeavour to devise some means of bringing tho latter into the scheme. , ... , ~ “Is the motion inspired by any of the men or by yourself?” asked Air P. C. Frceth. , “By myself.” the chairman answered. “I inspired it five years ngor but I had to await a chance to bring it-forward.” “JOIN WITH THE CITY COUNCIL.” It was suggested by Air McEwan that the City Council might join in with the board and form ono comprehensive scheme. A joint scheme was more likely -.to be sound financially than a separate dne. ' ’ Air J. Cobbo said he would move as an amendment:— • V, That it is inadvisable to take any '-steps in the direction of establishing , a superannuation scheme for tho ", benefit of the board’s employees, an'til such time as tho whole of .the wharfage and shipping charges levied at the port of Wellington are as low as tho lowest rate prevailing at any oft tho principal ports of the Dcfminion. ' Tho chairman ruled the amendment out of order, as being a direct negative. Mr, Cobbe sard that personally he was in favour of the thing, but did not think-that the time was ripe for it. Certainly, the charges had been somewhat reduced: , "It’s ‘tho cheapest board in tho Dom'nion, absolutely!” said tho chairman. ' Air Cobbe said that if the chairman could assure him on this point he would vote for tho scheme. ’Hie chairman said that when the hoard got into committee ho would give Air Cobbe ’fomo information that would interest him. Tho motion; was carried, after some further debate. ‘