WORKERS’ INSURANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26614, 10 November 1947, Page 6

WORKERS’ INSURANCE

Sir,—Now that the Labour Government has monopolised for the State Office the workers’ compensation for accidents insurance, our City Council’s scheme, which has worked satisfactorily for years past will I conclude, be discarded and thrown in the dust bin. The council courageously inaugurated and efficiently administered its own scheme. I am not ignorant in insurance matters and am in a position to know that the City Council was very fair in its dealings with those who through accident had claims upon the funds the scheme provided. What we ratepayers do not realise, but should know, is that under compulsory insurance with the Government office we, through our City Council,, will have to find a premium of no less than £7OOO annually, and this will be paid by ratepayers year after year without any let-up whether we have or have not accidents to workers. I estimate this additional annual expenditure is likely to cost we ratepayers in rates a further one and one-eighth pence in the £. Messrs Walls. Hudson, and Connolly permitted this State monopoly insurance legislation to go through without protest and without/ regard to the interests of city ratepayers. My purpose in writing is to point out how inconsistent our Labour councillors and members of Parliament are when they criti cise the increase in the cost of running the city’s affairs and at the same time, take much credit for having bettered the lot of the worker. The worker, however, is beginning to realise he is no better off than formerly. Apparently inconsistency is of no moment to Labour councillors and M.P.’s. but can they continue to get away with it? I think not. Recent municipal elections in Enpi'ind and Scotland are not without significance —I am, etc., Democracy.