FEDERAL POLITICS.

Evening Star, Issue 15064, 21 December 1912, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS.

POLITICIANS AND THE PRESS,

INSURANCE COMPANY LEGISLATION,

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

MELBOURNE. December 21,

(Received December 21, at 10.20 a.m.) Lhe House adopted Mr Bamford’s motion providing that, the representatives of any newspaper publishing misleading and erroneous statements about a member, or reflecting on his good conduct and integrity, be excluded from the precincts of the House until the explanation or contradiction by the aggrieved member is given prominence equal to that of the offending article.

The Insurance Bill that has been introduced _ provides for the apjiointment of a Commissioner, who shall be responsible for the administration of the Act, and who will supply an annual report to the Minister in charge. All companies will bo compelled to register, and will receive a license. Life insurance and companies other than life will have to make a deposit of £20,000, and those of life and other insurance combined £40,000. A life company must deposit each succeeding year £IO,OOO until the total reaches £IOO.OOO. and life and other insurance combined until it reaches £120,000. Stringent provisions are included for evasions in making proper returns, the non-forfeiture of policies, unreasonable or'unjust premiums, innocent omissions, and the auditing of the companies’ accounts.