IMPORTANT TO HEADS OF FAMILIES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 7738, 18 April 1896, Page 2

IMPORTANT TO HEADS OF FAMILIES.

[TO SHE SDITO3.J

Sib, —In common with other policyholders in the xV.M.F. Society, 1 have received a circular asking me to vote for the election of two direotots at the forty-uoventh annual meeting. Jam not acquainted with any of the names on the list, but it appears to me that the principal question involved { is in connection with opening branches of the sooiety in England, nnd it behove* every policy-holder to strenuously oppose any experimental tendency and vote only for good business men who would conserve the interests of the society. Thoro i 3 no donbt the A.M.P. Society has had a splendid record, bat the idea of opening up ia England is a purely speculative oae, and I am of opinion that a sooiety that h>\s done so well ought to keep rigidly to the lines that they have hitherto adhered to. I consider that of all businesses a life insurance business ought to be kept on the moet conservative lines, and the very fact of this eooiety showing big bonuses would be the very thing that would keep it from obtaining first-class risks at Home, as this would be looked upon merely as a sign of weakness. For my own part 1 would sooner see smaller bonuses and more placed to depreciation of seourities.

I happen to know something of life offioes in Scotland, and from my knowledge aleo of policy-holders there, I am of opinion that anyone who went outside of a British office would be looked upon as more or less of a speculator. They might speculate in Australian banks, but life assurance is looked on from a different point of view.

Surely the policy-holders in the A M.P. might take a lesson from the experience of the number of Australasian fire offices whioh { actually opened branches in America, Great Britain, and elsewhere, and have been compelled to retire from these fields with heavier hearts and lighter pockets. Any of the directors of the A..M.P. who are not satisfied with the scope given them in Australasia must be men of very large ideas indeed— much too largo for the oomfort of the polioy-holdere. I consider the business of the A.M.P. Society is quite large enough already, (and capable of sufficient extension in Australasia) for any body of men to look after properly, and it is more the duty of the directors to conserve the business they have, and look carefully aftor their investments, than be looking ont for fresh pastures. I can readily understand how some of the staff of the A.M.P. might like branohes opened at Home, with the prospect of nice snug billets.and rises all ronnd, but I would infinitely sooner see their pay here increased or bonuses given them for taking good risks only. 1 learn that none of the four who are nominated for seats on the Sydney Board are opposed to opening in England, and I would, therefore propose that any policyholders who are opposed to this course should sign a petition to be forwarded to Sydney and presented to the Board there.— I am, &c, W. KiNBOSS Whttk.