THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service” MONDAY, MAY 2, 1949 SOCIALISED INSURANCE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4129, 2 May 1949, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service” MONDAY, MAY 2, 1949 SOCIALISED INSURANCE

On April 1 workers’ compensation insurance became the com- . pulsory monopoly of the State. How appropriate the chosen date was for the change over is now being realised as employers receive their assessments. Again they have been fooled by easy assurances in Parliament that the change would bring no hardship for anybody; indeed, it was claimed that the State would administer workers’ compensation insurance more efficiently and cheaply than could private companies. Some businesses and industries are now finding to their consternation that their premiums have increased by as much as 50 per cent.; one Paeroa firm faces a bill for £lB, whereas last year workers’ compensation cost it £l3, and there has been no increase in staff, to warrant the , virtual doubling of the cost. In ~ fact, due to an error, the firm in * question paid a private insurance company for the policy covering the 1949-50 year, the premium being £l3 6s 6d, whereas the charge by the State on the same assessment is £lB 2s 4d. Protests against these increases should be on the highest plane and the Government should be asked to justify what appears to be a scandalous imposition on trade, and industry. There was no public demand that the State should step in and commandeer workers’ compensation insurance, no suggestion that the established business of the insurance companies was conducted unsoundly or inefficiently. It just happened that the Socialists in the Government 1 were unable to resist one more temptation to nationalise at the 'expense of legitimate private business. If that “ grab ”is to lead to a general and large inctease ip rates that previously were satisfactory to the office operating insurance, the Government must expect the strongest of protests.