RAILWAY RETIREMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 12, 15 January 1924, Page 9

RAILWAY RETIREMENTS.

IHE REPORT CONFIRMED. HIGH OFriCIALS I-fCr__>_!D (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON", this day. The report that the Cabinet had" decided that all officers who have completed 40 years' service in the Railway Department must tender their resignslions from the service, to terminate'on March 31, is confirmed by a statement made by the Acting-Prime Minister. Sir Francis Bell, in the absence of the Minister of Railways, the Hon. J. G. Coates, in the North. He said that the mattei of retiring a number of senior officers nn superannuation had been under consideration lor some time, and it be-e-ami' known in departmental circles recently that long expected changes were shortly to ;be effected. The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and other bodies' have made several representations to tlie Ministei, pointing out that many of the officers' of the department are* past the superannuation age. Many of the men affected occupy high positions in the service and their retirement on superannuation will cause promotions for officer? throughout the service. Sir Francis Bell stated that while the Government has always had the right to retire Civil servants who have given 40 years' service or more, the policy has now been adopted that, upon reaching the superannuation age, they must eler their resignations. In accordance with this decision, the General Manager of Railways has already intimated to a number of high-placed officials that they are required to retire on superannuation. Sir Francis was unable to say how many officers would Ik- affected by the change, but he said that there would be a considerable numher.