UNIVERSITY SUPERANNUATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25800, 22 March 1945, Page 9

UNIVERSITY SUPERANNUATION

Sir,—l would like to draw your attention to the connection between the University superannuation scheme and appointments to the Universiy professorial staff. By 1948 the University of Otago will have lost a very large proportion of those men whose administrative foresight and vigour contributed so largely to the wellbeing of the University. I do not believe that a permanent academic head can possibly perform all the administrative work attended to In the past by the professorial staff. It Is desirable therefore that the men.who fill the present and future vacancies should have as far as possible their predecessors’ experience in university affairs. It should be remembered that very tempting offers must be made to encourage even junior men to leave the more celebrated centres of culture. The type of man we require would, under the British universities superannuation scheme, be contributing to an insurance cover of roundly £3OOO, the university paying two-thirds of the premium. If he left Britain and desired to maintain his British insurance he would be faced at once by the unfavourable exchange rate on his premium. Moreover, he would be compelled on appointment to pay a large sum to a fund that will give him a pension limited to £3OO per annum. This, coupled with certain aspects of local living conditions, . would certainly deter many highly qualified overseas applicants. There are a few chairs carrying round £2OOO per annum to which the above remarks may not apply so strictly. On the other hand, the High Commissioner stated that the university superannuation scheme had deterred men from applying for chairs in New Zealand university colleges. In view of the present and imminent vacancies among the professorial staff it is to be hoped that prompt action will be taken to abolish a system which is, to say the least, unbusinesslike, and which attacks not only the professorial staff, but the whole fabric of the University.—l am, etc., Nicodemus. Dunedin, March 21.