CIVIL SERVANTS AND SUPERANNUATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9192, 23 March 1908, Page 3

CIVIL SERVANTS AND SUPERANNUATION.

A PECULIAR CASE. [From Our Correspondbnt.] WELINGTON, March 21. Some correspondence has appeared in the evening paper here during the past few days on the subject of the . steps taken by someone or other— it is not quite clear who is responsible — to coerce members of the Civil Service, to induce members to come in under the Superannuation Act of last session. Evidently, high-handed proceedings have been taken, and those affected are rising up and saying things. Dealing editorially with the subject, the " Post " makes some remarks which are of an outspoken nature, and while summing-up the view's of its correspondents, says that they should call for inquiry on the part of the general public, the Civil servants, and the Government. The following extracts will indicate the line, taken : — Whether it is that in the lower grades of the service the scheme is not co popular as it it is among the more highly-paid officials, who worked so hard for it and gave it so warm a welcome, oi* whatever else may be the reason, the fact appears to be that contributors are not being, enrolled as, rapidly as -some indiscreet advocates of the scheme would like to see. Now that nearly half of the period allowed for deliberation has expired, the result is that pressure of a most undesirable and most improper kind is being^brought to bear upon the rank and file of the service, to induce them to join the fund. Such appears to be a safe inference from the letters of "T.L." and "Fairplay," published by us in Thursday's issue and to-day's respectively. We have no reason to doubt the bona fides or the means of knowledge of either of these correspondents, and the one - substantially corroborates •the other. "T.L." speaks of circulars as having been issued to members of the service not covered by the Civil Service Act, declaring that they must immediately choose between the Civil Service Reform Act and the Public Service Superannuation Act, and enclosing an application form to join the latter. What particularly surprises us is that our correspondent ascribes the "deliberate act of coercion" to the Superannuation Board. The section \ already quoted provides that persons who do hot elect to become contributors to the /superannuation fund are to continue, subject to the same deductions from their salaries as hitherto, under the Civil Service Reform Act, and 'Civil Service Insurance Act. This alternative would therefore be properly submitted to the members concerned ; but it surely cannot be by official authority that the same course has been taken with, regard) to those who are at present outside both systems. Yet that illegitimate pressure is being exerteS seems plain from the circumstantial statement of the letter from " Fair•play." According to this correspondent some of the employees in the Defence Office have, actually been assembled, presumably by a superior officer, and given till five- o'clock on the day in question x to make that election, " failing which their names were at once to be struck off the pay sheet." It ie impossible to believe that such highhanded and unwarrantable intimidation is being practised by the direction or with the sanction of the Government. For the protection of the service, for the satisfaction of the public, and for their own credit, Ministers should investigate the matter at once, and make a public statement as to the Tesult. The terms of any circular -that has been issued, whether with or without authority, should also be disclosed. The probabilities are that an entirely illegitimate use has been made of a circular which was harmless in itself. Ministers should at once put a stop to this unauthorised coercion, give the offenders the Tebuff which they deserve, and assure the humblest members of. the service in the possession of the freedom which the law is supposed to allow them.