'QUAKE RISKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 76, 30 March 1935, Page 10

'QUAKE RISKS.

INSURANCE ISSUE. PLEA FOR LEGISLATION. MR. FORBES NONCOMMITTAL. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. A noncommittal answer to a question' by ill - . W. E. Barnard (Labour, Xapicr) concerning the introduction of legislation providing for earthquake insurance was given by the Prime Minister. Mr. Forbes, in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Barnard snid the Public Accounts Committee of the House had recommended that a committee should deal with the question of insurance against earthquake risks in conjunction with the State Fire Insurance Office. He inquired whether the committee had been appointed. "The Government," replied Mr. Forbes, "has been making preliminary inquiries in regard to the question of insurance against earthquake risks. Tho general manager of the State Fire Insurance Office visited London last year, and. in fact, was in London when tho Public Accounts Committee made the recommendation referred to. He had extensive conferences and discussions when in London 011 the subject of earthquake insurance generally, and the results of his inquiries in the shape of a comprehensive report will shoitly be considered by the Government. It was not desirable to set up a Recess Committee to deal with the subject until all necessary information had been collected and inquiries made, and in the latter connection a conference has already been held with the insurance companies. It will again be necessary to discuss with them further suggestions made as a result of the general manager's report. As to whether a bill call be introduced next session to provide for earthquake insurance, this must depend to a large extent on the consideration of the report of the general manager of the State Fire Insurance Office."