WORKERS’ INSURANCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 June 1926, Page 7

WORKERS’ INSURANCE.

THE NEW SOUTH WALES LAW. 1-JSITION FURTHER CO'MPLI. GATED. EY CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT SYDNEY, June 27. The position under the new Workers’ Compensation Act, which operates compulsorily from July 1, has been further complicated by the Premier s announcement, after a hurried consultation with his experts, that the State Government Insurance Office will charge 20s per cent, for the sickness rate, as against 40s per cent, adopted by the outside underwriters. Whether the Government office intends to reduce the other charges is not stated, but it is announced that the policy is to reduce rates to the fullest extent consistent with safety. The Leader of the Opposition points out that the Government, under the present law, has no power to undertake general insurance, that such action will be. purely illegal, and the Government is. in a position to repudiate any policy if it ch-tse to do so. He declared that the confusion and alarm created throughout the country by the Government’s action is appalling. Everywhere the matter is being discussed, and primary producers generally are reduced to a position of despair by this and other Government burdens. The North Coast Sawmillers’' Association has decided, as the result of the new Act, that all agreements with timber suppliers and employees be terminated on ‘Wednesday. Hundreds of timber getters and mill employees will be Tendered idle.