WORKERS’ COMPENSATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1921, Page 4

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION.

LIABILITY OF AN EMPLOYER. LIMITATION PROPOSED. (By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The second reading of the Workers’ Compensation Amendment Bill, a measure promoted by the Hon J. MacGregor (Dunedin), was carried in the Legislative Council today. This Bill proposes to limit the liability of an employer in respect to an accident caused by the negligence of a fellow employee, irrespective of under what Act proceedings are taken. In discussing the Bill, which he gave support, the Attorney-General (Sir Francis Bell) said the rule of common employment had been repealed, but by a clause in the Workers’ Compensation Act, which had nothing to do with the matter. The person who brought about the repeal evidently thought it was only fair to limit the liability of an employer under the new conditions, so that he might be able to cover himself by insuring. Unfortunately, however, the Privy Council had held that the limitation applied only to actions brought under the Workers’ Compensation Act, so that there was no limit when an action was taken under any other Act. It was clearly the intention of the Legislature to limit the amount recoverable, irrespective of the Act under which proceedings were taken, and Mr. MacGregor's Bill achieved this.