INSURANCE AGAINST CROP LOSSES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 30 August 1945, Page 4

INSURANCE AGAINST CROP LOSSES

PROTECTION FOR PRODUCERS NATIONAL SCHEME ADVOCATED (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) Wellington, Aug. 29. The introduction of a national insurance scheme to protect producers from flood, snow, and other losses through acts of God was advocated by Mr R. G. Gerard (National, Mid-Canterbury) in the House of Representatives, when he was speaking in the Budget debate. • * Mr Gerard said the losses experienced in Canterbury lately had certainly been the worst for many years, but there had also been serious losses in other parts of the Dominion at various times, and he thought the matter should be tackled on a national basis to see if some form of insurance cover could be worked out to cover farmers against such disasters. He suggested the possibility ol a co-operative insurance scheme with all farmers as contributors. The wheat insurance scheme was a very good idea, said Mr Gerard, although he did not think it went far enough. Under that scheme 50 per cent, of the estimated yield was insured. He would like to see the cover extended to 75 per cent., and also the extension of that principle so that other crops and stock were covered. The Government, he thought, should give the lead. Discussions could be arranged in the first instance with the chairman of the producer bodies. Mr W. J. Poison (National, Stratford): The Government’s job is to give a lead. The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Roberts): They have given a lead already.