PROVIDENT LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20316, 15 August 1931, Page 20

PROVIDENT LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY.

A unique and novel exhibit in the style of a Maori meeting house, and emblazoned with the inscription The only New Zealand Life Assurance Company" visualises by means of graphic illustrations and neat show cards the ever-increasing progress being made by the Provident Life Assurance Company. This company, whose headquarters are in Dunedin, has the distinction of being the only life assurance company founded in New Zealand, and in the last quarter of a century has performed many useful services for the people of this Dominion. During the first few years policies issued exclusively in the industrial branch, but in 1909 business was commenced in the ordinary branch, and three years later an accident branch was added. In the ordinary branch the directors wisely adopted the system of deferred bonuses so successfully instituted by a leading Scottish office some 70 years previously. The premiums charged aro on so moderate a scale that they provide the equivalent of an annual cash bonus to all policyholders, while the use of the most recently-published select tables produces rates which at older ages aro actually lower than the non-profit rates of other companies. The system has now been tested for over 20 years, a period which embraced the war and its consequent difficulties, and the success obtained confirms the directors in their opinion that they adopted the -most equitable method of allotting bonuses. The largest additions are made to those members who have contributed most to the profits of the company. The accident branch rates and policy conditions aro most liberal, the premiums being the lowest in Australia or New _ Zealand. The company issues policies covering all sickness, recognising that this form of insurance is as absolute a necessitv as life insurance. The total income of the company for 1930 was £275,000, and the funds at the present time exceed £1,050.000. Over three-quarters of a million pounds have been naid to policyholders. An obliging staff is on duty at the show, day and night, to explain the different policies issued, and one can be insured right away if desired. —6 WOOD-SOLED BOOTS AND CLOGS. One of the most interesting and useful exhibits at the Winter Show is a varied assortment of wood-soled boots, clogs, and shoes—all of which are 100 v"- cent. New Zealand goods, and aro made by disabled soldiers. This unique exhibit is on a stand in Heathcoto avenue, where the manufacturer, Mr F. C. Simonsen, of Dunedin, demonstrates the many uses of this style of footwear. One shoe, in particular, finds great favour with the women, owing to the soft cloth-lincd upper and thin wooden soleß, which make it both warm and comfortable for garden wear. This shoe is inexpensive and will last for years, fiying an averago footwear outlay of b per annum. Other exhibits include school hoots and men's hoots and clogs suitable for rough wear or use on concrete flooring such as dairies, freezing works, or other works of a similar nature. This class of wood-soled footwear is specially recommended by Board of Health authorities as being more economical, warmer, and more hygienic than most other boots. Country visitors should not fail to see this display of modern footwear. —6