The Evening Star THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1885.

Evening Star, Issue 6913, 28 May 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1885.

The feeling which it has been well understood existed in the Board of the New Zealand Government Insurance Association against the establishment of Local Boards of Directors has culminated in the support given by the elected members to the resolution proposed at the annual meeting yesterday, to the effect that Local Boards should not be appointed. The motion was declared carried by a show of hands, but Mr George Beetham, the mover, very properly acceded to the suggestion of the chairman that policy-holders not present should have a voice in so important a matter, and himself demanded a poll, which accordingly will be taxen on June 27th prox. Sir Julius Vogel, in proposing the adoption of the report, referred to the question of Local Boards, but evidently spoke as being aware that the policy-holders present were against any part of the administration being diverted from Wellington. Sir Julius believes—and it would seem to be but reasonable —that the Local Boards would be of great assistance. On moving the second reading of the Bill, the honorable gentleman said : “I think it will not “only be in their power to popularise the “ institution, but, from their local intluence, “ the members of these Boards will be able “to do a great deal more in the way “ of promoting business than we can “possibly do under present circumstances “with central management,’' There was some difference in both Houses as to the desirability of Local Boards, although the proposal met with great approval; and Mr Stout, although the measure was a Ministerial one, expressed the opinion that they should be nominated rather than elected. Our present purpose is not to discuss the expediency and propriety of the establishment of Local Boards, which, wc think, outside Wellington, will generally bo admitted, but to point out to policyholders that the question is now practically remitted to them. The poll on the proposition submitted by Mr Beetham, and approved at the annual meeting yesterday, is, as wc have above stated, to be taken on June 27, and this will decide the matter for the ensuing twelve months at least. Every policy-holder of full age and the holder of a policy insuring not less than £IOO and which has been in existence six months has one vote at any meeting of policy-holders, and proxies may be used for any purpose other than the election of directors. On this occasion, therefore, every policy-holder to the amountof £IOO and upwards in the Colony can exercise his vote, and we may hope that they will not neglect to do so in favor of Local Boards. 1 here is not the slightest danger of these Boards, when established, interfering with the Central Board, since by the Act they will be invested with such powers as the Board “may from time to time deem expedient; “ and such powers when given are only to be

“exercised in reference to the affairs of the “Association in the place and within the “ area to which its powers and InslVUcttonS “ have, been extended h\" the Bohrd.” The Local Boards iU-tt to consist of three 'directors, Wtt® wt wliolu is tb IVc ftmWfit'cij tyy tee Central Board, who rh'Mi ho ti'c Ci'.Airiuan, aiiß hold .or 'Mich iVirie as the Board ViVa-V dhV*'l. Mid two local directors, one of whom is to retire annually, to be elected by the policy-holders residing in the district where the Local Board exercises its functions.