“A DESPICABLE ACT”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19678, 21 December 1933, Page 3

“A DESPICABLE ACT”

MR ARMSTRONG REPROVED. By Telegraph—Press A ssociatlon WELLINGTON, December 19. The sug. on that the only reason for the Government's indue’ n of a clause in the Firu.nce Bill exempting earthquake accidents from the provisions of the Workers Compensation Act, was to increase the profits of insurance companies, was made by Mr Armstrong (Christchurch East) in the Hc-.ee to-day. “It is another gift to a wealthy section of the community out of the suffering and misery of injured workers,” he sr.id. “It is a despicable act.” Mr Speaker: Order! Mr Armstrong: I cannot ’cssify it as any' ing else. Mr Speaker: If the member is applying that ord oO a. act of the eminent he is out of order. Mr Armstrong: If the act .ould come under the definition of what is decent it would not be necessary to break the Standing Orders. Mr Speaker: I must ask the member to withdraw that word. Mr Armstrong: All right, Sir, I will be as mild as I can. In any case that was almost praising it. Mr S -.ker: lam afraid the member is aggravating the offence. Mr Armstrong: Compulsory arbitrat. has gone, workers’ compensation is about to be wrecked. and the clauses in the Bill providing for the destruction of workers’ compensation ar.d validating wrongful reductions in pensions of old people are no credit to the Government responsible for t\ m, and no credit to this Parliament if it passes them.