Mr. HEAPS:
Then I take it that the old employees are pensioners under the old arrangement between the company and its employees, and that in the old fund there was sufficient money to permit payment of $20 per month to existing pensioners.
Mr. BENNETT:
No, that is not quite right. The hon. gentleman is asking how the fund is made up. I happen to come from the section in which it originally started. Contributions were made by these people; the fund is now closed, and there are some eight thousand people contributing. In 1921 the monthly payment of $20 was found to be inadequate and was increased to $30, and since then we have been paying about $27,000 every year for the purpose of maintaining the fund in its integrity and enabling $30 a month to be paid.
Mr. MacNICOL:
Does the number of pensioners decrease yearly, and, if so, how much less is the number under this estimate than it was under the estimate of a year ago?
Mr. HOWE:
I have before me the amount of the expenditures, indicating that the fund reached its peak in 1931-32 and has been getting slightly less each year since then.
Mr. HEAPS:
What was the number of pensioners in 1931?
Mr. HOWE:
I am sorry I have not that information. I will get it if the hon. gentleman so desires.
Item agreed to. Progress reported. At eleven o'clock the house adjourned, without question put, pursuant to standing order. Questions
Wednesday, February 19, 1936