MR, CLAPCOTT’S ADDRESS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4240, 22 October 1874, Page 3

MR, CLAPCOTT’S ADDRESS.

The Odd Fellows’ Hall was well filled last evening by a most attentive, and, as it proved, highly-pleased audience, to hear Mr. Clapcott lecture on the subject of the Government Life Insurance scheme ; and we must congratulate that gentleman at having-performed his duties so as to make it evident that it is possible to lecture, and yet please and instruct, as well as amuse. The great point which Mr. Clapcott insisted upon as being the most important in the matter of insurance was security. The lecturer stated that the matter to be considered by intending insurers is security, and demonstrated that any one insuring with the Government had positive and absolute security, inasmuch as, under the Acts of 1809 and 1870, all policies are guaranteed, thus rendering it impossible that any policy could possibly be unpaid when due. The fact of the Government Insurance having been made a mutual office was mentioned, and that consequently all profits would be divided amongst those insuring, and this too with premiums, or at a cost, lower than any other office. Mr. Clapcott stated that as it was in the power of any man to insure at a cost of about one shilling per week for every hundred pounds, there could be no cause for any one not making provision for his family, and thus save his wife and little ones from either suffering poverty and woe, or else becoming burdens upon the charity of. their neighbors. The lecture- was listened to with marked interest, and Mr. Clapcott concluded the evening .by giving readings from popular authors ; of this part—as of the first—we can only say that it wasmost enjoyable, and we are sure that all who were present will endorse our opinion. We noticed with pleasure that Mr. Clapcott, though of course advocating the Government Insurance, was most careful in abstaining from uttering one word against any

other society, saying that the world was large enough for all, and that instead of insurance societies beingantagonistic they should belooked upon as all working for the benefit of mankind. We congratulate Mr. Clapcott upon having given his opening lecture without having offended any whilst advocating the cause of the New Zealand Government Insurance scheme, and trust that as he is about to reside amongst us we rnv.y often have the pleasure of hearing him.