WELLINGTON MEASURES.

Northern Advocate, 18 April 1932, Page 6

WELLINGTON MEASURES.

EVERY PRECAUTION,

(From Our Parliamentary Special.) WELLIN GTON, 6a turd ay,

Although there is no reason to anticipate disturbances in Wellington, the authorities have taken every precaution and adopted all measures possible to deal effectively and promptly with the merest suggestion of trouble. Shopkeepers in Cuba Street and Willis Street are leaving nothing to chance, as an inspbetion of shop windows this afternoon showed that all valuables of a portable nature, particularly jewellery and fur coats, have been removed from public display.

INSURANCE POLICIES,

CIVIL COMMOTION RISKS,

SPECIFIED EXEMPTIONS.

FIRE RATE RAISED

(Special to “Northern Advocate.”) AUCKLAND, This Day.

Ordinary insurance’ policies exclude damage by strikes, riot, or civil commotion, unless such risk has been specially mentioned and the necessary additional premium paid. A prominent insurance manager stated that ho did not know of a single instance where an Auckland policy included, such a risk.

The average business man in Queen Street, lie said, if approached in normal times, would laugh at the idea of paying an extra premium in respect to riot damage. Representatives of insurance companies had met to consider the position arising out of the disturbances, and as far as plate glass risks were concerned nothing definite could be fixed until a decision came from the Underwriters’ Association in Wellington. In the meantime covers were being issued only on the understanding that the insurer would pay whatever premium was fixed and he was of the opinion that it would be double the ordinary rate. As far as fire risks arising from civil commotion were concerned the normal rate was Gd per cent, and this had been definitely increased to 5s per cent, the same rate as was fixed during the strike of 391!!. The trouble then, he said, was between the police and the strikers, and there was practically no damage to property. People’ could not expect insurance companies to offer adequate cover for their property after Thursday night’s experience, without the companies charging a premium commensurate with the risk. Scarcely a window had been left intact in Queen Street, and the risk of fire breaking out at various stages of the rioting was by no means slight. The town was, virtually speaking, in a state of war, and it ovas unreasonable for any person to think that policies could be issued on the old basis. The ordinary rate for plate-glass is £2 10s per £IOO, but this does not cover damage arising out of riots, strikes or civil commotion.

SUNDAY MEETINGS,

ADDRESSES BY LEADERS,

(Per Press Association. —Copyright.) WELLINGTON, This Day.

About 300 persons attended at the Basin Reserve yesterday afternoon in response to an announcement by the unemployed workers’ movement that a mass meeting would be held. Speeches criticising the Government’s policy were delivered by several of the leaders of the movement, and the crowd then dispersed quietly. A large number of citizens are offering their services as special constables and arrangements are being made for the enrolment of as many as the authorities may deem advisable. MASTERTON, This Day.

At a Labour Party demonstration held at Masterton yesterday afternoon a resolution was passed condemning the Government’s policy and -calling upon it either to amend its policy or resign. The speakers were Messrs W. E. Barnard and J. O’Brien, M.P’s., who, referring to the Auckland disturbances, deplored the rioting, but said the Government could not escape responsibility. The meeting was most orderly throughout. There was an attendance of about 500 people. NAPIER; -This Day.

Over 1000 people listened to addresses by Messrs .T, McCombs and W. Nash, Labour M.P’s., in McLean Park yesterday afternoon. The speakers generally the Government’s policy and administration. A lengthy resolution was carried condemning the Government’s policy. The same members addressed a gathering in Hastings last evening.

DISORDER DEPRECATED

APPEAL TO UNEMFLUTTm

(Special to “Northern Advocat■e. ,, ) AUCKLAND, This Day.

“The executive of the Auckland Provincial Unemployed Workers’ Association wish it to be distinctly understood that it repudiates any suggestion of complicity in the rioting which has occurred in the city. “It appeals to all unemployed members to act in an orderly and decorous manner,”

The foregoing statement was handed to the press this morning after a meeting of the executive, and is signed by Mr T. Stanley, chairman, and Mr F, Blackie, secretary.