INSURED FOR HOSPITAL HELPING UNEMPLOYED

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1930, Page 9

INSURED FOR HOSPITAL

HELPING UNEMPLOYED

WAITARA EMPLOYEES’ PLAN

“EXCELLENT IDEA' FOR WORKERS.”

EXTENSION OF SCHEME FAVOURED,

4, As the basis of a scheme for national insurance it is an excellent idea for the working man, and-1 hope it will be extended throughout the Dominion,” said the Rev.' R: B. Gosnell, yesterday, when the Taranaki Hospital Board adopted a scheme of hospital insurance for Waitara freezing Works employees, similar to the friendly society system. ■ The proposal's .were submitted by the house and finance committee following suggestions by a deputation from Wai•■tara. They were: !

1. Contributions to be at the rate.of 235. per inember, payable ill advance oil February 28 ih. each year in one sum, and shall be collected By the secretary, bf the association and paid direct to the board. . • ■ 2. That the onus is on the individual member to pay his contribution within one month of due date of payment, failing which he will forfeit his benefits under the scheme for a period, pf three months from the date of payment, 3/That , the benefi ts be similar to-those now given to members of the Friendly 'Societies’ Hospital Association. 4. That the secretary of the association, shall be the official channel as between the board and the members. ; , 5. That the name of the association shall be the Waitara Workers’ Hospital Association. 6. That this arrangement shall be for a period of 12 months and shall be reviewed not ; later than one. month before its termination with a view to renewal for a further period. f Air. A. Corkill said he always understood freezing Works employees earned good wages., The chairman (Mr, S, Vickers) said Mr.' T. B. E.wenS was the mover in the matter. He had assured the committee that the reports of high, wages for the casual local employees at freezing works were not true, the average for the year being just over £3 a'Week. The men who averaged high wages were, the birds Of- passage who were .there for the season only and tlien. inoved on. It was not proposed the scheme should include permanent. salaried men. • . Did they propose td..extend.the scheme to the settlers.?, asked Mr, Corkill,

The chairman sa.id.it was hoped to ex‘ tend it. at present to ..the employees of .the. Waitara borough. He hoped the Scheme might be brought into- New Plymouth,' where the waterside workers might, be .included. . ■ . . . Mr, Corkill thought it should be extended to.county employees and to the settlers. . \ .... - , t ' . Mr. R. J. Dcare commended the scheme. They all knew, he said, the position of the working inan. to-day,- Anything that could be arranged on these lines would be, a great blessing for those on' the bread; and butter line..

. .Mr, Gosnell saw no reason why the idea.'should not be extended widely* '''