COUNCIL EMPLOYEES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24221, 13 February 1940, Page 10

COUNCIL EMPLOYEES

SERVICE WITH FORCES PAYMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS NO ACTION AT PRESENT Disappointment that the Finance Committee had decided to take no action with regard to the question of paying the superannuation contribution of council employees who had enlisted with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, particularly when the employees’ military pay and allowances exceeded the maximum laid down by the council, was expressed by Cr D. G. McMillan at last night’s meeting of the council. The Finance Committee reported it had given careful consideration to the matter when formulating the proposals eventually adopted by the council, and in view of this fact recommended that no action should be taken, especially as the proposals were subject to review in June next. Cr McMillan said he was particularly concerned about one employee, who had enlisted as a corporal or a lance-corporal. If the employee had had only a wife he would have received £2 a week from the council, but because he had a wife and five children he received nothing. The least the council could do was to pay that man’s superannuation contributions.

“If I were dictator of New Zealand,” Cr McMillan added, “ I would not have allowed him to go overseas.” He moved that the clause should be referred back to the committee.

Mr R. Walls, who seconded the motion, said it was regrettable that a man with five children should enlist, but as he had the council should do something to help him.

Cr Cameron considered it unfortunate that the council should, discuss individual cases. The employee concerned, however, was getting a good deal more in the army than if he had been employed by the council. The Finance Committee was going to review all cases in six months’ time and he knew it would give generous consideration ■to any cases of hardship. Cr McMillan’s motion was defeated.