EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE

Evening Star, Issue 21992, 30 March 1935, Page 3

EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE

CONFERENCES WITH OFFICES MINISTER HOK-COMMdTAL [From Our Pakx.iaiie.vta.ky Reporter.] - WELLINGTON, March 29. A non-committal answer to a question concerning the introduction of legislation providing for earthquake insurance was given by Mr Forbes in the House to-day. Mr Barnard said the Public Committee had recommended that a! committee should deal with the question of insurance against earthquaka risks in conjunction with the Stata Fire Insurance office. He inquired whether that committee had been appointed. ■ ■ ■ The Government replied that Mfl Forbes had been making preliminary inquiries in regard 'to the question ofl insurance against earthquake risks j The general manager of the State Fim Insurance Office visited London last year, and in fact was in London when the Public Accounts Committee made the recommendation referred to. Ha had extensive conferences and discussions when in London on the subject oS earthquake insurance generally, and the results of his inquiries in the shape of a comprehensive report would shortly be considered by the Government. It was not desirable to set up a recess committee to deal with th® subject until all the necessary information had been collected and inquiries made, and in the latter connection a conference had already been held with the insurance companies, and it would again be necessary to discuss with them further suggestions made as al result of the general manager’s report. As to whether a Bill could be introduced next session to provide for earthquake insurance, this must depend ta a large extent on consideration of th» report of the general manager of th® State Fire Insurance office.