MOTOR ACCIDENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 69, 18 September 1936, Page 4

MOTOR ACCIDENTS

INSURANCE LAW OVERHAUL IN VIEW "VERY URGENT PROBLEM" I An intimation' that he was working very actively on the problem of overhauling the legislation relating' to motor accident' insurance, was given by the Attorney-General (the Hon. 11. G. R. Mason) in the House of Representatives in replying to the second reading debate on the Law Reform Bill last night. Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (National, Waitomo) said that the Bill widened the opportunity for claiming damages-arid it was questionable whether it was not going to be too wide. He thought that as a result of the Bill the motor insurance premiums might have to be increased considerably. The Minister said the question of insurance premiums had been discussed with the insurance pool. He felt that he must do his best to meet their point of view and see that there was not placed upon them an unfair burden for which they would be liable in the present year. That was the reason why some of the clauses were not to come into operation until next June, when the current premiums for motor insurance would run out. After then a fresh start could be made, and if it was found that the payments for damages, had increased considerably it might be necessary to raise the amount of the premiums. The premiums might be raised in any case quite apart from the operation of the Bill, he added. He understood that the insurance pool had made a loss this year, and it might be that the time had come for the premiums to be adjusted. But he did riot think the Bill would come into it very much. The Minister said he was sorry that there did not appear to be a' chance this year to alter the basis of insurance in respect to motor accidents. He was working on the problem of changing the basis altogether so that every person who suffered injuries in a motor accident would be entitled to compensation. ■ ' ' "That is a separate problem and a. very urgent problem," he added. "I regret that I will not be able to deal with it this session. This Bill takes the matter as far, as I am able to take it during this session."