EARTHQUAKE INJURIES

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 146, 18 December 1933, Page 10

EARTHQUAKE INJURIES

COMPENSATION CLAIMS

BUILDING SOCIETIES

The liability of employers for accidents duo to earthquake is limited by a clause in the Finance Bill now before Parliament. It is provided by the measure that any personal injury suffered by a worker resulting in death or total or partial incapacity shall not be deemed to bo a personal injury by accident arising out of and in tho course of his employment if (1) it results from the fall of any building, structure, or erection or part, or the breaking, fall, or movement of any of the contents or fixtures, and if such fall, breaking, or movement is due directly or indirectly to earthquake; and (2) it is caused by fire resulting directly or indirectly from earthquake. In future, registrations of building societies which provide for shareholders receiving appropriations by ballot will depend upon production of an actuary's certificate indicating that every member, if his shares aro properly paid up, has a reasonable prospect of receiving appropriations within 30 years of the date of his admission to membership. Existing societies may be required by tho Minister of Finance to produce such a certificate, and if it is not furnished within a month the Minister is to call upon the societies to amend their rules within three months so that the requirement can be met. Failing compliance with that demand the societies will bo terminated or dissolved forthwith. Companies who, after the passing of the legislation, undertake for the first time third-party risk insurance, will be required to deposit with the Public Trustee £10,000 in cash. This is additional to deposits required for ordinary insurance, and it will be : held as security to' meet liabilities under the cover of third-party insurance. Until the deposit of £10,000 is made, the companies cannot undertake this class of business.