RUGBY INSURANCE

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1935, Page 9

RUGBY INSURANCE

FEES TO REMAIN THE SAME.

REDUCTION URGED FOR JUNIORS.

A motion from the Eltham club which aimed at a variation in dues payable to the Taranaki Rugby Union’s insurance fund was defeated at the annual meeting last night. Mr. A. G. Whiting, in accordance with notice given by the Eltham club, moved “That the insurance fees payable by third, fourth and lower grades be fixed as follows: Thirds 2s 6d, fourths and lower grades 25.” After a lengthy discussion the motion was lost.

His club was greatly concerned as to the welfare of the lower grade players, said Mr. Whiting. He was firmly of the opinion that the present fee of 4s a player was too high for younger players, and contended that the fund would actually benefit, not suffer, because' a great many more boys would be able to join and pay the lower contribution. Support of the' motion was accorded by Mr. L. H. Clapham, Empire Old Boys, who quoted the position of his own club. On the other hand, Mr. L. Hunt, Patea, said that the fee was already very low, having in mind the liberal benefits that resulted to injured players.

“If it were not for this insurance fund there is no disputing the' fact that clubs themselves would be better off,” said the chairman. He mentioned that the fee of 4s had been fixed after a special committee had gone; very fully into the position. The fund had to be of such dimensions that it would stand the strain placed upon it, and, if it collapsed for lack of support, then there would remain a moral responsibility upon clubs to care for or assist its injured members. The point that the insurance scheme was in need of revision was made by Mr. D. J. Malone, who said that at present far too many cases of minor injuries were reported and claims made in respect of them. He believed the fund should so be reconstructed that players suffering major injuries could be guaranteed free medical and hospital attention while the minor injuries, say one visit to a doctor (10s 6d) should be reconsidered.

Mr. Malone was quite right, said the chairman. It was the great volume of 10s 6d or £1 Is accounts that proved the heaviest drain on the fund, while the number of major injuries was surprisingly small. Some unions insisted upon the player paying himself for his first visit to a doctor, he said. The motion was lost.