The Insurance Tariff

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 13, 11 July 1885, Page 2

The Insurance Tariff

Pursuant to notice, a meeting of gentlemen interested in obtaining a reduction in the present exorbitant insurance tariff was held at Mr Bray's office on Thursday evening. Mr J. C. Thompson presided. In introducing Messrs T. E. Walton and "W. Park, delegates from Palmerston, the chairman apologised for the smallness of the attend- „ ance at the meeting. He explained, that those who had signed their names to the schedules considered themselves — and very properly so— already definitely pledged to the movement, and their presence at the meeting uhneces- " sary. The secretary, Mr Sandilands, read his correspondence with gentlemen in Halcombe, Palmerston,. Sandon and aFoxton, and in each case support, y either direct or indirect, was promised. : ~ He showed that the total of the | amounts insured entered on the schedule was upwards of £150,000. Mr WAiKi ton then addressed the meeting. He said he had very little to add to what had already been made public through the Press. The amount on the Falmerston schedule was £73,154 oi*y properties within a radius of a quarter of a mile off the Square, and this amount could he increased to about double its present dimensions by a further canvass. He had found every insurer only too glad to get a reduction of expense in this connection. He had been in Wellington recently and interviewed the manager of one of the most. influential and independant companies in the colony, who informed him that any attempt to get a reduction of the tariff must end in utter failure. The companies considered the tariff already too low, so those places north of Kangitikei, who now enjoyed the lesser rates, would have them raised upon them. This would be all the better' for the parties now moving, for the people of Wanganui would then be on their side, and as Wanganui had already once brought the insurance companies to their terms they would not be diffident in making strong resistance to the extortion. At the conclusion of Mr Walton's remarks Mr Park followed with a few words in confirmation. Mr P. Bartholomew proposed, Mr C. Brat seconded, and it was carried, that the secretary be instructed to write to a Victorian insurance company asking them to undertake the business of insuring 1 properties here, at the same' time forwarding to the said company foil particulars. It was resolved that the secretary call a meeting on receipt of ia reply from the company, and at same' time send due notice to the Palmerston committee of the fact. A hearty vote of thanks to the Palmerston delegates for their attendance was passed! and they were assured that the people of FeUding felt deeply grateful to those of Palmerston for the cordjal assistance vouchsafed on this and other occasions.' Mr Brat made some enquiries as to the mode proposed to pay the necessary expenses attendant on the business; which were, satisfactorily answered by the chairman. A vote of thanks to Mr Thompson for presiding closed the proceedings