WORKERS' COMPENSATION

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 91, 14 October 1920, Page 8

WORKERS' COMPENSATION

THE PROPOSED SCHEDULE,

In reporting the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Bill from the Labour Bills Committee in the House of Representatives yesterday, Ml-. J. P Luke 6aid that the Bill would hav<» been introduced by the Hon. Sir W. H. Herries (Minister for Labour), and, if passed, come into operation in 1921. This would permit the accident insurance companies to make adjustments in connection.with their schedule of claims. The maximum earnings, under which a worker was defined, was raised from £260 to £400 per annum, and the maximum of compensation from £500 to £750. Mr. Luke also quoted other new provisions that have already been referred to. Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) contended that the Bill -would benefit the higher wage-earner, the man receiving over £200 a year, but not the "bottom dogger." The rate of compensation for the former would 'be increased, but not for the latter. Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) also emphasised this point, A person earning £5 a week would receive, under the new proposals, £328 fo:r the,loa.- of an eye, an increase of £101 approximately, on the old schedule. But a person earning £3 a week would receive £138 ss, the same as under the present Act. • Mi-. H. Poland (Ohinemuri) compared the New Zealand proposals with the rates of compensation paid at Home. Here the committee set up to deal with the matter recommended that the 50 per cent, of wages earned should be raised to 66 2-3 rd per cent.-7-one- third of the wage for total incapacity. The scale of compensation was also greater in Tegard to a widow and children. The Bill, with amendments, was reported.