SUPERANNUATION FOR NURSES

Southland Times, Issue 23610, 10 September 1938, Page 8

SUPERANNUATION FOR NURSES

NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND GOVERNMENT MAY MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, September 9. The provision of superannuation rights for nurses under the National Provident Fund is a subject covered by a special clause in the Finance Bill • which was introduced in the House of Representatives today by GovernorGeneral’s Message. Arrangements in this respect may be made’ on behalf of any person engaged in nursing duties of any kind in any department of the Government service, the Samoan Public Service or the Cook Islands Public Service. The effect of the provision is that the Minister of Finance may become a contributor to the National Provident Fund for any person covered by the clause making payments into the fund in keeping with the percentages specified in the Public Superannuation Act. The persons on whose behalf the Minister becomes a contributor will not be required to belong to any Government superannuation fund. There is power to make retrospective arrangements dating back to April 1, 1936. The object of the clause is apparently to safeguard the superannuation rights of nurses who may transfer to and from hospital boards and Government departments. There is no provision at present for maintaining their superannuation payments and the effect of the proposals will be to place the Government in the position of a hospital board for the superannuation rights of nurses. The same provisions can be applied, if necessary, to other classes of Government servants whose circumstances may be similar to those of nurses. Other matters dealing with the National Provident Fund provide that contributions paid in advance in respect of a period of incapacity may be refunded or applied for the benefit of the contributor. Provision is also made for an actuarial examination of the fund to be carried out for the period ended December 31 last year.