RAILWAY SERVANTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19069, 15 January 1924, Page 7

RAILWAY SERVANTS.

RETIREMENT AFTER 40 TEARS. POLICY OF THE DEPARTMENT. (Peb United Pbkps Association.) WELLINGTON, January 14. Confirmation was given by the Acting Prime Minister (Sir Francis Bell) this morning, in the absence of the Minister of Railways (the Hon. J. G. Coates), who is on tour in the north, to a rumour that a number of senior officers in the railway service are to be retired on superannuation. The matter has been under consideration for some time, and it became known in department'll circles recently that the long-expected changes were shortly to bo effected. The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and other bodies have made several representations to the Minister pointing cut that many of the officer* of the department are past superannuation age _ Many _of the gentlemen affected occupy high positions in the service, and their retirement on super-' annuation will cause promotion for officers throughout the service. Sir'Francis Bel! stated to-day that while the Government has always had the right to retire civil servants who have given 40 vears’ service or more, the policy has now” been adopted that, upon reaching the superannuation age, they must their resignations. In accordance with this decision the Genera! Manager of Railways has already intimated to a number of highplaced officials that they are required to retire on superannuation. Sir Francis Bel! was unable to say how manv officers would be affected by the change, but he said that there would be a considerable number.