INSURANCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 4 May 1926, Page 7

INSURANCE.

RUGBY PLAYERS. OLD SYSTEM TO STAND. At the meeting of delegates to the South Canterbury Rugliy Union held last evening, Mr J. Scott (Mackenzie Sub-Union) gave notice of motion: "That the present system or scheme ®f insurance for players be discontinued.” In support .of the motion, Mr Scott jjaid that under the present system ■ the compensation for an injured man Would.be about £ls, and if lie had a broken leg that sum would not get Aim very far. Some years ago serious , accidents had happened to players, and benefit matches which realised up to ( about £BO were he'd. He had inter- , viewed one or two local insurance agents, and had been told that the Byxtcm by the Union interfered with their business. If the Union left ( the matter in the hands of the In- . surancc Companies the result would be more satisfactory, for a very reasonable premium. The Union bad denied J Mackenzie the opportunity of joining 1 in the scheme, which he thought wag 1 not altogether fair, as it meant that < the Union were running a scheme in which only some of the affiliated clubs 1 were allowed to participate. The Union had lost money on the scheme j last year, and considering the debt on i the Atli'etie Grounds, they should not ■ stand to lose about another £BO this ( season. Tlie Union were working against a profession by continuing the scheme, and he did not think this fair. The chairman (Mr H. H. Fraser): “J don’t think so7’ Air Scott: “But they say you are.” The chairman: “That’t rot.” Air Scott said that one agent he had spoken to suggested that the New Zealand Union should be approached with , a view to obtaining a universal system for players throughout the Dominion. . , Air AY. Carlton seconded the motion. The chairman said that for two years ( efforts had been made to get the companies "to take over the insurance scheme, but as long as premiums remained high there would be no chance of this being accomplished. Messrs Al. Houlihan, D. Walton, 'and O'. Clarkson said that they had been instructed by their respective clubs to vote in favour of the old scheme. Air J. AYilson asked, if tho Union agreed to drop the scheme, would the insurance companies be prepared to carry on? ! Air Scott said that the officials in Timaru had agreed to approach their head offices with regard to the matter. Air F. Davey said that he had been in touch with one or two firms, hut thought that the premiums were rather high. He was of opinion that if the New Zealand Union insured all players with one company it would pay that companv handsomely. Mr D. Hertnon supported the old scheme. If the insurance companies coukl put forward a satisfactory scheme they might adopt it. The Union had to consider the younger players, and until the comnanies could put something substantial through next season thev could hardly consider letting the old scheme lapse. After farther discussion the motion was lost. The chairman said the benefits derived from the Union’s scheme might be sinnll. but thev were very acceptable to players. He hoped that next year thev might have a scheme controlled by the New Zealand Union, and he would eertainlv mention the matter at the annual meeting on Thursday. Mr Scott: “Will you let Mackenzie come in this year now?” The chairman said that if their financial position would al’ow Mackenzie's participation in the benefits of tlie fund .thev would be quite welcome, but under the existing conditions it was practically impossible. The piatfer would have to he discussed by tbc Alanagcnient Committee.