Government Fire Insurance

Southland Times, Issue 19553, 6 May 1905, Page 1

Government Fire Insurance

AN OBJECTIONABLE PHRASE. At tlio meeting of tho Education Board yesterday a letter was read from tho General Manager of the State Fire Insurance Department, stating that he would deem it a favour if the Board would send any insurance within its sphere of-influence to tho State Fire Insurance Office, ’’ seeing the Government,, L understand, expect support from those departments which receive subsidies from the Government,” Mr T. MacGibhon moved that tho letter be received. Ho did not see that tho Government had any claim against them. Everything being cqbal the State office had no more claim than any other office. Mr W. B. Scandrett seconded, and tho motion was carried. At a later stage Mr I. W. Raymond, who was not present when the letter was read, drew attention to the part quoted above. If they were to. understand anything from it this meant that unless the Board gave the State Fire Insurance office a share of its insurance business, there was some danger to their receiv-, ing subsidies from the Education De-

partment. He was sure that this phrase was not used in the letter with the approval of the Minister of Education. The Board should express its disapprobation of the use of such a term.Mr Scandrett said that the Board did not insure any of its buildings apart from the offices. •

Mr MacGibhon thought the letter was simply part of a scheme of coercion which was being practised right throughout the colony. The School Committees received the same notice, and so did other bodies receiving subsidies from the Government. Mr Cowie (the chairman') said that he had looked upon the statement as a misprinti i The subject then dropped.