Railway Insurance Bill.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7268, 22 July 1893, Page 3

Railway Insurance Bill.

(Bt Telhqeaph.) WELLINGTON, July 22. A deputation from the Bailway Conference waited on the Commissioners yesterday. Mr MoKerrow said the Commissioners had very carefully considered the suggestions submitted by the delegates, and Mr Maxwell would give a reply to each in detail. Mr Maxwell stated that generally young employees were on a different basis in respect to the Bill than older employees. Young entrants into the service would pay a reasonable contribution for the benefits granted, but any employee over 20 year of age was getting considerable advantages increasing according to the age of the employee. For example, in the case of a man aged 40, his contributions were exactly one-half what they would be, at that age and for the same benefits, in any j insurance office. Bespecting the alteration to section 3, it was unnecessary. Intermittent or continuous service would, under the present clause, be counted. That is, men who were out on strike, or who when work was slack were temporarily discharged, would have all their previous time counted in the compulsory allowances. Be section 6, sub-section A, the proposal would seriously affect the financial position, and it was not advisable. Be sick pay, the Commissioners were prepared, if this Bill became law, to extend the existing privileges regarding sick pay to all employees. Section B, subsection 2, they were prepared to grant as follows Any employee who has already an increased policy to the amount of 12 months’ pay may contribute for retiring allowance only. Bespecting the State contribution of 25 per cent, Mr Maxwell pointed out that the present employees would receive considerable advantages, and the Commissioners could not recommend this. They were prepared to accept the proposal to reduce the retiring age to 60 years, particularly seeing that the Civil Service Bill provided for retiring »t that age. They could not accept the proposal to retire at 55. The proposal to allow present employees to contribute for increased benefits was objectionable, but for men newly joining it might be desirable. They could not accept the proposal to strike out clause 14 section 12 The proposals were thought to be unnecessary, re Board of Advice. Eliminating sick pay from the Bill did away with the necessity for many rules and regulations, and he thought the board quite unnecessary. The Bail way Conference assembled at 9 am. to-day, and considered the reply o! the Commissioners to the delegates the previous day.

Accounts would be published annually and therefore would be available to all. And as it was unlikely there would ba any bonus but quite the opposite for a long time to come, the proposals to allow contributors to elect how their bonuß9B may b 0 dealt with, was unnecessary. The proposal to keep their benefits was objectionable. The delegates met the Commissioners again at 10 a.m. The following are the results of the interview The Commissioners stated that in addition to the concessions granted yesterday, they were prepared to concede the striking out of clause 14. That they would agree to the board of advice in a modified form, and would print the amended Bill in accordance with the concessions granted by them. The Oonferenje then reassembled, and considered the amendments seriatimßespecting the amendment to clause 3, it was agreed to fall in with the Oommisioners suggestion that no alteration was neceoessary. On clausa 5, it was agreed to confirm the amendment proposed by the Conference. On clause 9 it was agreed that the amendment proposed be confirmed, with this addition, “ That if it cannot be granted to the present employees, such provision should ba made for new entrances into the service " A letter was received from the Commissioners stating that they had arranged with the Premier to meet a deputation from the Conference at 10 30 on Monday. The delegates will present a petition to the Premier asking the Government to take charge of the Railway Employees Insurance Bill this session ; also asking the Government to take into consideration the Railway Employees Insurance Bill as prepared by the Railway Commissioners, and the various amendments suggested thereto by the Conference.