GOVERNMENT LIES ASSURANCE.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 210, 18 November 1873, Page 5

GOVERNMENT LIES ASSURANCE.

On Thursday evening last, Mr Henry Clapcott, Travelling Sub-Commissioner in connection with the Government Life Assurance and Annuities scheme, delivered a lecture on the above subject at Kidd’s Hall, to a capital audience. The lecturer, at the commencement, pointed out that the object the Government had in view was inducing persons to insure, to make provision against the misery and destitution likely to follow the unexpected death of the husband and father before he had been able to lay by suliicient to support those who, during his life, depended upon his earnings. To get persons to insure, the premiums or yearly payments had been made as low as possible. For instance, it would cost a man aged thirty less than tenpence a week during his life to secure the payment of £IOO at his death ; and a man of the same age might secure the same benefit for those he might leave behind him by the payment of one shilling per week until he reaches the age of fifty, when all payments on his part would cease, —thus avoiding the nuisance of having to pay when he shall have grown old and, it may be, past work. Another table was mentioned, by which a man may, by a very moderate payment until he reaches a specified age, secure for himself the sum assured, should he reach that age, or to his heirs should he die before. The lecturer reminded his hearers that the moment the first premium had been paid, the Government were liable for the payment of the policy, even if death took place the next moment. A mongst other advantages, Mr Clapcott mentioned that after a man had insured for two years, his policy was protected from seizure under the Bankruptcy Law to the extent of £2OO, after five years to £SOO, after seven to £IOOO, and after ten to £2OOO. But if a man insured for the benefit of his wife and family, for any amount up to £2OOO, the policy was immediately and absolutely protected ; so that no matter how unfortunate the man might be, the policy could never be taken away from his wife and children. And another great advantage mentioned was this : that should a person fail to pay his premium when due, the Government, instead of forfeiting the policy, as is the general rule, will keep it open f or as many years as there have been annual payments made. Thus, if a man has paid four annual premiums, and fails to pay

the fifth, the policy is kept open for that man for four years and some clays, to enable him to pay in ; and should death take place during that time, the policy would he paid, the Government simply keeping back the premiums that the man ought to have paid. Many other advantages were pointed out, — such as permission to live in any part of the world except in the tropics, to travel where and how a man likes, and many others which our space will not permit us to give in detail. Enough for us to say that Mr Clapcott lectures in as plain and simple a way as possible, his endeavour being, as he states, to make all who hear him as well acquainted with the matter as he is himself; and wc would strongly urge those who _ feel an interest in the subject, and there is not one but who should do so, to attend Mr Clapcott’s lecture, and we know they will not regret doing it. To those who cannot see Mr Clapcott, he will be happy to give by letter all required information; or the same may be obtained at the Post-oflice. After the lecture, Mr Clapcott gave some of his popular readings, and all w : ho were present bear witness to his success. We hope as Mr Clapcott continues his tour, it will become better known what his lecture is like, and what his popular readings are, and then we feel sure that ladies, (who are specially invited,) as well as the sterner sex, will attend, and demonstrate as strongly and unmistakeably by their attention, sympathy, and applause, their approbation of his subject and the manner in which he treats it, as the Cromwell audience did on Thursday last. We congratulate Mr Clapcott on his success.