STATE FIRE INSURANCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 502, 8 May 1909, Page 10

STATE FIRE INSURANCE.

-Sir,—lt is reported in your issuo of to-day that the position of head of the State iiro Insurance Department has bean offered to Mr. Smith, .Registrar of Old Age Pensions. Surely, this must be incorrect. Even Sir Joseph "Ward would not carry the system of spoils to the victor to tho extent.of appointing'a totally inexperienced man as head of an important business . undertaking Buoh as .thfe State . Fire Department. Mr. Smith was a clerk, in a subordinate position, in the Treasury, when lie was hoisted over the heads of older and- more; experienced men by Mr. Seddon, and appointed i Registrar. of Pensions. A separate Department was oreated, and the' usual Btafi was speedily collected. Largo and frequeiit in-, creases of Salary followed, and the Minister has feceiitly conferred upon A Mr. Smith the title of Commissioner of Pensions. But what knowledge has he of fire v,insurance business?—l am, etc., _ ■ i . OLJLU. . i May 6. .-. [It is understood that Mr. Smith, declined the position in the State Fire Insurance Department.] .