6

[WILLIAM REID HAIG.

1.—7.

53. Mr. Pirani.] That is your scale which is in the Bill?— Yes; but over and above that we ask the Government "to subsidise that sliding scale by 3 per cent. Since coming up here we have found that the Government have virtually adopted the conference's sliding scale, minus the 3-per-cent, subsidy. . , 54. They guarantee any deficiency ?—I am aware of that; but m the Bill the fund was to be subsidised by a Government subsidy of 3 per cent. To overcome that difficulty the Government have decided to guarantee the fund. But since coming up here and having a conference on the matter with the delegates of the Eailway Officers' Institute we think that the premiums are rather heavy, especially for members of forty and upwards. We think that if we could get the Government to subsidise the payments by those members by 2 per cent., so as to reduce the payments by them from 10 per cent, to 8 per cent., it would make it easier for the older hands. 55. In addition to the guarantee ?—Yes. The subsidising of members at forty years of age would practically work out in twenty years. The contributions would come down to 3 per cent. all the same. „ , 56. The Chairman.] Have you anything to say with regard to the constitution ot the .Board, clause 12?— We would like a slight amendment made there—i.e., the members of the Second Division, seeing that they would probably be the larger number on the fund, would like to have four representatives of their division. . 57* Mr. Wilford.] Either have four representatives, or take out the General Manager, who is one of the First Division : how would that do ?—I would not like to see the General Manager taken out. I think he is a right and proper person to be on the Board. 58. The Chairman.] What is your opinion with regard to clause 23 ?--At the Inyercargill conference we decided that the clause should be struck out. We were not clear on the point. Mr. Wilford explained to the witness the proposed amendment by the Government, that a person should not draw from the Superannuation Fund while he received payments under the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act. 59. Hon. Sir J. G. Ward.] I understand that, on the whole, you are satisfied with the amended Bill?—lam. 60. Mr. Pirani.] What division do you belong to ?—No. 2 Division. 61. Has the proposal for reduction of the contributions set out in the conference scale come from your division, or from the other division ? —From the two combined. 62. From whom did the suggestion first come ?—From the First Division. 63. Are you aware that the contributions proposed in the Bill are less than those which the Government compel the police to pay ? —No, I am not aware of that. 64. You will find that that is so. The police contributions are 5, 6, 8, and 10 per cent, for the intermediate divisions—actually heavier than the Government are asking your members to pay ? —I was not aware of it. 65. In fixing the contributions at the conference scale the Government have really considered the railway servants ? —Yes. . 66. Hon. Sir J. G. Ward.] With reference to this question of the constitution ot the Board, of course you know that the Superannuation Fund is to be governed by statute law ?—Yes. _ 67. And not by regulations of the Minister for Eailways or the General Manager for Railways, or anybody else ? —I was not aware of that. 68. I assume that those who are anxious to alter the constitution of the Board are under the impression that its management of the fund is to be an ordinary matter of regulation : do you know whether that is the case ?—I believe that is so. 69. Mr. Pirani.] Do you think that the objection to the heavy contributions would be met by provision being made for the Board of the Eailway Superannuation Fund to have power at any time, if they found that funds were coming in too quickly, to reduce the contributions ?—I do not think the members of the Second Division would object at all to the contributions being lowered. 70. Mr. Collins.] I would like to know whether, when you said that you were perfectly well satisfied with the amended Bill, you voiced your own opinion or the general opinion of those whom you represent here ? I understand that you are now speaking as president of the society ? —Yes. lam giving my individual opinion as well on that point. We had the ruling of the conference on the matter, and I think it is our duty to put that before you. Whatever we have done since, we have done in the interests of the society. We wish the best Superannuation Bill passed that we can possibly get. . ' 71. Mr. Guinness.] With regard to clause 23, have you considered it and come to a conclusion as to what your views are in reference to it as it is proposed to be amended ?—No, I have not. 72. Mr. Pirani.] Ido not think you understand the question. Has it not been explained to you that clause 23 ought to have an addition made to it ?—Yes, it has been. 73. Hon. Sir J. G. Ward.] Just to make the point clear I will ask you this : In the course of the interview that I had with you and other members of the society did I mention that I proposed to amend the clause in the direction indicated by Mr. Wilford a few minutes ago ?—Yes. 74. And I understood that was satisfactory to the men ?—I believe that is so. I quite misunderstood Mr. Guinness's question. Thomas Aethub Bullock examined. (No. 4.) 75. The Chairman.] What is your name ?—Thomas Arthur Bullock. 76. What office do you hold in the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants ?—I am vicepresident. 77. Have you considered the amended Bill?—We have gone into the matter fully. 78. Will you please, as concisely as you can, place your opinion, or the opinion of the executive, with regard to this Bill before the Committee?—My opinion with regard to the Bill is that if it does not make provision for the older members of the service it will not be really acceptable.