ALCOHOL AND THE DEATH-RATE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6072, 8 January 1898, Page 7

ALCOHOL AND THE DEATH-RATE.

Some interesting information iB given by Mr William Bingham, of the Sceptre Life Assurance Company, on the practice of insurance offices as to the lives of publicans. Eight offices consider the risk too unfavourable, and decline to accept this class o£ life. The Prudential used to oharge an extra premium of .£1 ls per cent, bnt about a year ago this was raised to £2, in consequence of the unfavourable experience of. the office in this class of lives. At first these lives were taken at the ordinary' rates, then, after disastrous results, about twenty - three years ago the company re-started with an extra premium of 16s, afterwards raised to .£1 ls, and finally to £2. In other offices the increase varies from 6s up to 30 per cent of the premium ; but the majority charge .£1 ls. There is only one at thei highest figure ; one adds seven years j one V charges 7 per cent, another £2 2s. It is somewhat remarkable that the same olass of life ahould be weighted with such widely differing rates of extra premium. Thiß looks as if each office had rated according to its own experience. As to licensed grocers, whose rise in mortality was commented on by DrFarr shortly after grocers' licenses were instituted, it is most remarkable that two offices rate their extra at 10s per cent, and one office at 16s. As the publican alone among traders has to produce evidence of good character, and is generally well housed, clothed, and fed, the offices must consider the mortality risks very high to demand such extra premiums, and some even to absolutely decline to accept such lives at all. — British Medical Press.