COMPENSATION BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20690, 9 October 1930, Page 15

COMPENSATION BILL.

BENEFITS TO WORKERS.

RESULT OF COMMISSION. ALTERATION IN PAYMENTS. [n V TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. W ednesday. Tim Workers' Compensation Amendment Hill was introduced l>y Governor-Geneial s Message in the House of Representatives to-day. Explaining the provisions of the measure, tlio Minister of Labour, the Hon. S. G. Smith, said its object, was to givo effect lo the recommendations of the commission set up to consider the position in respect to the. Workers' Compensation Act. The Bill contained an extension of the definition of the term " worker to include share-milkers and persons engaged in plying for hire with any vehicle 01 vessel tho use of which was obtained from the owner under any contract of bailment other than a hire purchase agreement in consideration of the payment of a fixed sum or share in the earnings, lhese people would bo brought under the provisions relating to compensation, whereas to-day they wcro not entitled to this. The bill also cleared up tho position relating to workers such as casual gardeners. At present a lawyer, doctor or any other professional man, for instance, who employed a, casual gardener was not liable under the Act except in special circumstances to pay compensation, but the bill provided that a casual gardener should ho protected if lie. was engaged by one employer for not less than three consecutive days. Payments in Case of Death.

Compensation would also bo payable in respect of injuries suffered by apprentices or junior workers while undergoing a course of technical training.

The minimum compensation payable in cases of death where there were total dependants left would be increased from £3OO to £SOO. The payment, of expenses, medical and surgical, including maintenance in hospital, was provided for up to a limit of £25 in addition to compensation. The cost of hospital treatment was limited to £3 per week. The Minister said it was proposed to alter the method of computing the amount of the weekly payment of compensation. The maximum payment to the worker was fixed at £3 with the addition during total incapacity of £1 for the wife and 5s for each child wholly dependent upon him, provided the total weekly payments did not exceed £4 10s.

Tlio allowance for funeral expenses was tn lio reduced from a maximum of i!SO to £25. ll had been suggested (hat the previous maximum amount had so frequently been applied for that it appeared the benefit went to the funeral director rather than to those- for whom it was intended.

The Minister said in the original Act, different allowances wero made in respect of left and right arms, but in view of the fact that the greater amount was not always paid in respect of the more useful arm, the terms left and right were substituted by minor and major. The bill further contained an improved schedule in regard to loss of eyesight. Contraction of Disease. Tho English system of laying on the employer tho onus of proving that the worker did not contract an industrial disease while in his employment was also embodied in the measure. The schedule of industrial diseases had been enlarged. The amount that might, be recoverable from the employer by way of damages in respect of in jury by workers through Ihe negligence of a fellow worker was to be increased from £IOOO to £1250. It was proposed to make, it compulsory for all employers, with certain exceptions, lo insure and keep themselves insured against their liability for compensation. Replying to an interjection the Minister said there was in New Zealand practically State control of the premiums charged by insurance companies on such policies on the basis of actuarial examination. Adjustments were made so that in an industry where claims had been heavier than were expected the premiums would be increased, but. where claims were lighter the premiums would be, reduced accordingly. Arbitration Court Judge.

Provision was ;ilso marie for Ihp appointment of an additional Judge to the Court. of .Arbitration for the special purpose of exercising the, jurisdiction of the, Court under the, Workers' Compensation Act, Nominated members of the Court would not sit on any compensation matters. These would bo heard and determined by the .Judge alone, and if either party so desired, would he determined by the Judge, sitting with assessors representing the parties concerned. The Minister said it was desirable that there should be a uniform line of action, and for this reason it- was proposed to appoint <1 special Judge to deal with all cases. In conclusion, lie stated that the bill, if passed this session, would not come into operation until April .1, 1931. He believed that when it, did come into operaton, New Zealand would once, more lead tho world in legislation of the kind. The. bill was read a first time.