A GREAT CROWD.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 252, 24 October 1925, Page 14

A GREAT CROWD.

ADDRESSED BY MR. PARRY. FULL ACCIDENT COMPENSATION. Fully a thousand people were aasembled at the corner of Beresford and Pitt Streets last night and listened attentively to a two hours' address byMr. W. E. Parry, M.P. A special point was made by the candidate in outlining the amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act, which he had for the past six years brought before the House of Representatives and endeavoured to have carried. The amended Act, said Mr. Parry, proposed to alter the basis of the present Act from "earnings" to "life": that was to say, the dependents of persons killed would receive the same amount of compensation, irrespective of earnings—£looo being payable for death and full wages for incapacitation during the period of incapacitation, with full medical benefits. "We propose to be able to give these benefits by making accident insurance a State monopoly," said Mr. Parry, "and we will make the insurance of

MR. W. E. PARRY

their employees compulsory on the part of the employers, with no increase in the premiums of the workers. By making insurance a State monopoly, the profits now going to shareholders and the commissions in getting business will go to the victims of accidents. Half the amount now paid in premiums—3d in 'every 6d —goes now to profits and expenses. • The victim of the accident or his dependents gets the other 3d. It is up to the worker to get a fairer percentage." (Applause.) Referring to the reports of alleged disorderly meetings, Mr. Parry said he had never experienced any difficulty in this connection, but then, he never insulted his audience or the representatives of other parties. Because a man stood as a candidate for Parliament, he had no right to hurl insults at opponent parties or people. (Applause.)