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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3837, 2 November 1883, Page 2

Everybody knows that in consequence of the criticism of the Press Parliament last session was compelled to consider the position occupied by Mr George Thome with regard to the Government Life Insurance Department. Whethor the position—influence and earnings—that Mr Thorne had acquired would have been confirmed by Parliament or not the Government took very good care should not be ascertained, for a fresh arrangement was made with him before the Committee could hold its investigation. This arrangement is for one and a-half years, and wo presume it must have been as satisfactory to Mr Thorno as it must havo been to the Government, judging from the apparently short time it took to como to an understanding. As far as wo can learn, and very little is disclosed, Mr Thorne will still continue to be the best paid man in New Zealand. Tho system, which seems to have been inaugurated hero for his benefit—and of course for the benefit of the colony at large — would appoar to bo a revival of that which prevailed in olden times, and which still is to bo found, wo believe, in the Turkish provinces of Asia Minor. It is known by that of " Farming" We aro not at all sure, but from what wo can gather, Mr Thorne, who is designated Superintendent of Agents, relieves the department of all trouble about agents and tho acquisition of now business. It simplifies matters considerably. Mr Thorne, we understand, receives a per centago upon the new lives obtained by the untiring exertions of the agents, and pays them out of what ho gets himself. Agents tell us that, however much this system may pay Mr Thorne, it does not pay them; but they do not find out that till some experience has been acquired of the business. But what wo wished to point out was this—that if it pays the Government, and in paying tho Government it must pay the insured, to let out the business of the Insuranco Department, why not carry out the system throughout the public service ? Mr Sperry, for instance, might farm tho property tax, and the Customs revenue might be put up to auction for a term of years. Post and telegraphs, railways and stamps might bo all treated in the same manner, and probably thcro would be plenty of Mr George Thorues to say that the system was admirablo !