H.—27.

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

POLICE-SUPERANNUATION SCHEME (CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING A).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives, No. 131, of the 25th August, 1892. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House a copy of the correspondence regarding a police-superannuation scheme between the Minister of Defence and Mr. W. Hutchison, member for Dunedin City."—(Mr. W. Hutchison.)

No. 1. Mr. W. Hutchison, M.H.8., to the Hon. Mr. Cadman. Sib,— Dunedin, 7th May, 1892. • I herewith enclose you a copy of the basis of a proposed Police Superannuation Fund. This basis, subject, of course, to all reasonable suggestions and amendments, has been all but unanimously agreed to by the members of the Force in the Provincial Districts of Otago and Canterbury. I have not yet been able to meet with members of the Force in the North Island, but one of the city representatives has taken charge of it in Auckland. I was desirous, in presenting this scheme to you, of an opportunity to explain to some extent the views of the Force on the subject, but your time did not permit of this being done on your last visit to Dunedin, and most likely I shall not now have a personal interview with you until the meeting of Parliament next month. I would have postponed bringing the matter before you until that time but for the announcement that certain tables and proposals for some such scheme are now being prepared in Wellington. On these the members of the Force look with much dubiety, and I have therefore thought it expedient that you should know at once what their views, generally speaking, are on the subject of retirement and superannuation. I venture to hope that you will give the enclosed document your careful and favourable consideration, and, having done so, may I expect that you will during the session introduce a Bill to give it legislative sanction. I am, &c, William Hutchison.

Enclosure. Basis of a Peoposed Police Supeeannuation Fund. 1. The fund to start from the Ist April, 1893. 2. The fund not to be drawn upon for five years from the Ist April, 1893. 3. No member of the Force over fifty-five years of age at the Ist of April, 1893, to participate in the superannuation. These members on retiring to be dealt with according to the now-existing terms and arrangements of Government in such cases. 4. The fund to consist of— (a.) A deduction of 5 per cent, from the pay of each member of the Force who will participate as being under fifty-five years of age (see Appendix, Table 1). (b.) The Beward Fund, with the exception of such proportionate amount as shall be left for those members who do not participate in the superannuation, (c.) All sums that would under the present regulation be paid into the Beward Fund, and any other sums, such as a proportion of fines inflicted through the action of the police, that the Government may from time to time see fit to grant, (d.) A sum of, say, £20,000, to be advanced by the Government in lieu of compensation in future (see Appendix, Table 2). 5. That it be compulsory for all members of the Force to retire at the age of sixty years. This not to apply to those who do not come under this scheme. (See Appendix, Note A.) 6. That the fund be vested in the Public Trustee, and managed by a Board, whose members may invest the moneys to the best advantage ; such Board to consist of seven members, three to be chosen by the Government, and three annually elected by the members of the Force, with the Minister in charge of the department for the time being as chairman. This Board shall also act as a Court of Appeal, to which any member of the Force shall have a right to submit any grievance under which he suffers, and the decision of such Board shall be final and conclusive. 7. That an annual superannuation allowance shall be granted to any member of the Force retiring after twenty years' service, without any medical certificate of unfitness, on the scale hereinafter set forth. 8. That the scale of superannuation be as follows : After twenty years' service, 30 per cent, of salary drawn at time of resignation; after twenty-five years' service, 40 per cent, of salary drawn at time of resignation; after thirty years' service, 50 per cent, of salary drawn at time of resignation. I—H. 27.