THE DRIVER APPOINTMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3542, 4 February 1886, Page 3

THE DRIVER APPOINTMENT.

TO TUE EDITOR OF. THE TIMAUV UEHALX), Sin, — The policy-holders m the Government Insurance Company m almost every town m the colony have given their verdict against tho late appointmout of Mr H, Driver, of Dunedin, ox-M.H.R., and th,e universal feeling appears to be (among policy-holders) that since tho Colonial Treasurer's return tc power, this insurance system (formerly introduced by Sir Julius Yogel) is being worked for the benefit of others than those juv

3 mediately interested : and as there aro a ! j large number of policy-holders m Timaru and I district, it is but right that we also should raise our voice and give our opinion of j the wny m which this Government institution i is at present conductod. At the time tho > Government Life Insurance Department was ; started m New Zealand ono of the principal draws to catch the public confidence was that ■ all clerical work was to bo conducted through ' the Post-office department of the colony at Tory little extra cost, neither staff nor extra offico room required, and m fact all actual I expenses to bo incurred would bo for paid < canvassers, doctors' fees, &c. Wo wero also • informed that the Government wore m a position to place all surplus money at interest on much better terms than any private company could do, &c, &c. What do ,we now sec ? Why a Government nominee Board, purporting to represent tho i chosen-elect of the policy-holders, whereas [ tho Colonial Treasurer is the ruling power, , and tho Board arc controlled by him. AH • pretious representations as to keeping down working expenses by amalgamating the Institution with the Post-otfico business arc i being ignored, and most extensive puri chases of land and buildings aro being • made m tho principal towns of the i colony as separate offices for Government insurance, business, and we hearof still further lots being enquired for. Political mii fltiencc appears to have great sway, especially I among Government supporters who have suit- • able building nllotments m the chief centres. ; If all wo hear is true the sooner tho present ' Board is done away with the better it will be for the policy-holders. If tho institution is < carried out on the basis it was started upon, without tho meddling of interested politicians, i we t'hall feel some decree of confidence m it 3 future, hut as at present conducted a thorough want of confidence is established, ard the public must insist on baring this confidence restore il. I am, if., PoLicy-HoiDER.