FARMERS AND THE COMPENSATION ACT.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11130, 23 November 1901, Page 10

FARMERS AND THE COMPENSATION ACT.

TO THB EDITOB OF THB PEESS. •Sir - J. G. S. Tonkin wishes to know ttw position of fanners with regard to hands employed for their threshing and chaffcutting, and whether' the (farmer°s liability is covered under his pfoLicy. To the lasi que.tion I would say no, .or the far-, mers policy would only secure him against* -accidents to farm labourers, whereas threshing and chaffcutting would obviou&tv i_ special risks, insurable at a very much ■higher prem_um than the farmer* would pay. But the farmsr can protect h__nsefi by d.-na__d_-g to Eec the ccmrtractor's pdicy of _n*ai:_ace. In the future no proprietor of a threshing machine, , e__xffcui.er, saw bench, etc., will be able to get ] any work unless he can produce a pojcy i&oiving that his risk is covered by a policy of insurance. r iXow -th**. I a_n writing, I would like to point out that wintever may be the posifion of fanneis in re-ation to farm labourers, they are unquestionably liable in respect of many other trades and C3.1-'' ings. If a farmer builds a house, or repairs one, or does any painting, or has any work cone for. liim involving the use of an engine, he is .i_j]>.e. to -pay the carpertier, paincer, brenginedrrver, "compensa-, tion in case of accident. In all such case**

t-herefore, farmers should tee the contractor's policy before the men start work. —Yours, etc./ C.L. 90 THB EDITOB OJ" THE 1-tSSS. Sir,—Permit mc to reply to your correspondent, J. G. S. Tonkin. The fanner, as the first employer, is dearly liable as shown by Section 15, Clauses 1; 2, and 3, and subclauses under that section, of the Workers Compensation Act. The -«>rk«r may, at his option, ews either the direeS employer, i.e., the sub-contractor employing him, or the fanner who lets the contract. In reply to Mr Tonkin's second question, any accident insurance oompany will insure the farmer's risk on tbe basis "outlined in your correspondent's letter.—Yours, etc., TB. B.M. 22 Cranmer Square, C__i_irt(-hu--h.