SEAMEN'S WAR RISKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 36

SEAMEN'S WAR RISKS.

PROVISION FOR COMPENSATION. WELLINGTON, March 4. After lengthy negotiations, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister of Marine, announces that he is able to make public the details of a scheme under which all seamen who run war risks on our transports and other, vessels engaged in war work will be covered against losses due to enemy agency, and their dependents safeguarded in case of their disablement. • .■; . As an indication of how the scheme will work, Mr Wilford says: "I can take as an example a seaman earning £lB a v month. In the event of his death his wife' will receive until her death or until she remarries £96 per annum, and one-twenty-fourth of his pay in respect to each child. There is also compensation for loss of effects. I have information of an instance in which an officer of- a New Zealand vessel which was lost off the Lizard through enemy action received as compensation under the scheme £SO for the loss of his effects. This will show that most of the details have beon gone into thoroughly under the British scheme." Mr Wilford adds that he has undertaken that if any of the dependents of those who were lost on the Aparima put in claims in Now Zealand he will forward them to the proper authorities in England, in order that compensation may be paid u«der the scheme as outline_d.