WORKERS’ MISHAPS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXV, Issue 12913, 15 July 1936, Page 4

WORKERS’ MISHAPS.

MINIMUM COMPENSATION TO BE FIXED Press Association'!. WELLINGTON, July 14. The possibility of fixing a. minimum rate of compensation under the Workers’ Compensation Act was discussed in an interview to-day by thd Minister for Labor (Mr Armstrong). “I have had the Workers’ Compensation Amendment Bill drafted for some time now”, /said Mr Armstrong, “but it is doubtful whether there will he time to go on with it in its cntirctv this year. However, there are some glaring anomalies in the present law which must be removed as soon as possible and the chances are that a small amending Bill will be brought down to make the necessary alterations. We arc considering laying down a minimum rate for compensation in all cases.” Mr Armstrong said that another proposal is that the average of 12 months should be struck out and that the worker should be entitled to compensation at the rate at which he was being paid at the time of being injured. The matter has to be investigated from several angles, but the aim of the Government will be to pro vide compensation on a more equitable basis than, at present. When the amendments wore being drafted, the Minister added, an opportunity might also be taken to insert ai clause giving the Government power to appoint a special compensation court by Order-in-Oouncil, should the necessity arise.