Farmers' Mutual life Insurance. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 11

Farmers' Mutual life Insurance. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — Having been a farmer, I naturally take a keen interest in what affects farming interests. Seeing a note that farmers were going to do their own fire insurance business set me thinking 1 , and as a reult I have looked into the matter carefully. What strikes me- is why they have not gone into the matter long since, and it is to be- hoped they will not be gulled by the insurance companies' bait (thrown out under compulsion) of temporary reduction in rates, to be raised higher than before if they can get State fire and farmers' mutual squashed. Farmers should remember they are helping themselves in running their own scheme of busin-ess, and the profits will be their own. I have come across the insurance companies' attempts to block in the- way of stating losses, but would like to ask the Fire Underwriters' Association to give a return showing what profit it has made the last few years out of farmers' insurance. This return if supplied (which, of courses it will not be) would astonish people as to very small losses in country risks. Take, for instance, the district I was farming in : 10 years' losses did not run £300. and on a very low estimate the premiums paid would be £3000 in the time. It is, of course, natural that insurance companies do not want to lose business of such a profitable nature, and will draw red herrings across the scent to their utmost. — Lately a P

I am, etc.,

AEMEB.