WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15659, 13 July 1914, Page 8

WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

COSTLY ADMINISTRATION. NEW POLICY PROBABLE. [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Sunday. " We are not giving our workers who are incapacitated through accident as much compensation as is given to disabled workers in Russia,' declared Mr. H. Poland, member for Thames, in the House of Representatives on Friday. In Russia they are given half wages and all medical expenses are paid for six months. '. In Italy they get it for three months, in Belgium they get medical aid until the final cure or until the cessation of payment as compensation. It is not possible for a working man, who is laid aside by an accident, and who is in receipt of half wages, to maintain his wife and family, pay medical expenses, and go on in a solvent condition." ■

In reply, the Minister, the Hon. F. Y. B. Fisher, said he thought there was a good deal in the contention, but if the conditions wero worse than in Russia they wero only a legacy from tho previous Government. He hoped to make a complete change in the system of the office, lor he realised that tho accident insurance business of the office was not satisfactory. Premiums amounted to £24,000 last yeir, the amount of settlement to £12,000, -inn. the copt of running the business to abojt £12,000.