HIS NINTH ATTEMPT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 222, 19 September 1929, Page 31

HIS NINTH ATTEMPT.

OPTIMISTIC MR. HOWARD. WORKERS' COMPENSATION BILL. MINISTERS SYMPATHETIC. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. "This is the ninth time I have introduced a Workers' Compensation Amendment Bill since I have been in Parliament," explained Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South), in moving the second reading of his measure in the House last night. It contained, he explained, not all he wanted, but what Labour considered should be its immediate demands for improvement. "Previous Ministers have conceded me something on the introduction of each bill," continued Mr. Howard, and I look to the present Minister with the utmost confidence and optimism. In fact, if the hon. gentleman adopts this bill, I will willingly turn it over." (Laughter.) Profiting by former experiences, when the bill was ruled out as involving an appropriation, Mr. Howard amused his colleagues by confessing he had avoided this pitfall by excluding the Crown from his measure, though of course he desired the Government to be equally liable with the private employer. £1 Limit Called "Absurd." The Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister of Justice, gave the mover some encouragement. He explained how the proposed amendments would operate, and agreed that the doctrine of common employment should be wiped out. It was absurd to limit to fl the medical fee to an injured worker, and he approved an increase. He explained, however, that he was expressing his own opinions, after 30 years' practical experience of compensation litigation, and he could not commit his party. , "Would Double Premiums." The Minister of Labour, the Hon. W. A. Veitch, said the bill was a humanitarian one, and was assured of the sympathetic consideration of every member of the House. He thought it should go to the Labour Bills Commit-' tee, as it would be unreasonable for Parliament to deal with it until the affected parties had had an opportunity of stating their opinions. He disputed the opinion that the bill would cost nothing if put in the Statute Book; he had been assured that if the bill were passed it would double the premiums at present paid. The Government had to face its responsibility in connection with the increase of public expenditure. | The Government, in the face of the' unsatisfactory financial position, had given the undertaking that several advances in humanitarian legislation would be made. The question of compulsory insurance was worthy of consideration, although he was not convinced that it would, he altogether wise to depart from the law as it stood in favour of what was known as the Ontario system. The Compensation Act was based on very sound principles, and he did not anticipate there would be any difficulty in extending its provisions.

Valuable Evidence Expected. Mr. Veitch said lie thought it was the first duty of Parliament to look after the safety of the workers engaged in industry, for it was better to prevent an accident than pay compensation after it happened. He had had a lot of suggested amendments to the Act before him, but so far he had not been able to finalise them, and for that reason he did not propose to outline the Government's policy at the moment. He was studying the question closely, and he anticipated that valuable evidence would be forthcoming when the bill went before the Labour Bills CommitThe bill was read a second time and referred to the Labour Bills Committee.