THE Marlborough Express Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, JULY 25, 1893. RAILWAY INSURANCE AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXIX, Issue 182, 25 July 1893, Page 2

THE Marlborough Express Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, JULY 25, 1893. RAILWAY INSURANCE AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

4 As the outcome of the recent Railway Insurance Conference held m Wellington, a deputation waited on the Premier to explain the amendments proposed by the Conference m the Railway Insurance Bill. It was pointed out that the Conference desired that by increasing his contribution a man might be entitled to his retiring allowance at 55 ; and they asked the Government to subsidise tbe contribution by 25 per cent. In England the large railway companies subsidised similar funds of their employds, and m soraa cases g»ve as much as £1 for £1, and the Cape Colony Government gave £16,000 towards this object. There was therefore a precedent that the Government should grant a subsidy to the fnnd of the State railway employes. The deputation admitted that the Conference had not obtained actuarial opinion as to the changes which their amendments would make. They, however, estimated that 4000 employes would take advantage of the Bill, whose average contribution would be £5 per man. That would mean a subsidy of about £5000. The Premier m reply said the dis cussion of legislation by State employes while Parliament was sitting was a new departure. The various services of the country should have consideration, and not any particular branch. What was done for one should be applicable to all, and only on these lines could Government go. Details applicable to special departments could be arranged by schedule. If railway servants were allowed 25 per cent subsidy, other branches might claim to be treated m the same way, and such a contention would be unwarrantable. Therefore, anything done must be done for the whole Government service. The effect on friendly societies must also be considered. If similar benefits eoald be obtained from friendly societies and insurance companies it might be said that Government had not to pay 25 per cent subsidy to these m order to receive the benefit. Government too, had to consider its own losurance Department. If they withdrew the Government Service from the insurance companies and friendly societies, some of which societies were not very strong, the effect might be serious. Government must ascertain what that effect might be, or they might be blamed for the downfall of these societies. The Government, however, was desirous of doing something on the lines he bad indicated, aud be would lay the question before his colleagues and ask the Railway Commissioners to submit proposals of the Conference to actuarial investigation.