AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND UNDERWRITERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1609, 17 April 1879, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND UNDERWRITERS’ ASSOCIATION.

[“ Mercantile Gazette,” February 12th.]

On Saturday evening last the Australian and New Zealand Underwriters’ Association held their annual commemoration dinner at the Albion Tavern, Aldersgate street. H. J. Bristow, Esq. (New Zealand Insurance Company), chairman of the Association, presided, and among the guests present were— Forster, Esq., Agent-General for New South Wales; Sir Julius Vogel, K.0.M.G., Agent-General for Now Zealand; Sir Arthur Blyth, K.0.M.G., Agent-General for South Australia ; Oapel, Esq.; J. L, Fisk, Esq.; J. F. De Rougemont, Esq.; J. Carr Saunders, Esq.; and L. Smith, Esq.; representatives of the English Assurance Companies; Liout-Col, Daniell; Major Bristow ; Messrs Main,Oakley, Pcvv, Nowburn, Elder, Kersey, Kemp, &c. And the following companies, members of the association, were represented : —The Adelaide Marine Assurance Company, Australian General Assurance Company, Australian Alliance Assurance Company, Colonial Insurance Company of Now Zealand, Cornwall Insurance Company of Launceston, Mercantile Marino Insurance Company of South Australia, National Fire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand, National Marino Insurance Company of South Australia, New Zealand Insurance Company, New South Wales Insurance Company, Pacific Insurance Company of Sydney, South Australian InHuranco Company (Limited), South British Fire and Marino Insurance Company of Now Zealand, Southern Insurance Company (Limited), Standard Fire and Marino In-

surance Company of Now Zealand, Sydney Marino Assurance Company, Victoria Fire and Marine Life and General Insurance Company, Union Fire and Marino Insurance Company of Now Zealand. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts, and “ Prosperity to the Colonies,” were proposed by the chairman and vice-chairman (H. M'Clean, Esq., and 0. M. Smith, Esq.) respectively, LieutenantColonel Daniel and Major Bristow responding for “ The Army and Auxiliary Forces.” Mr Forster, in replying for the colonies, acknowledged their obligations to the Mother Country, and in allusion to the projected International Exhibition to beheld in Sydney, said he felt confident of its success, on account., mainly, of the cordial support and cooperation which it had experienced in London. Touching upon the apparent disposition being shown in some quarters to revert to protection, he avowed that the colony of New South Wales held fust by free trade, that its steady adhesion to it must be beneficial to the parent country, and that free trade must, in the long run, be the best for the colony, the Empire, and the world in general. Sir Julius Vogel, in further reply to the toast of “Prosperity to the colonies,” remarked that it was one which was now not a colonial toast but a national one, since the prosperity referred to afforded the best if not the only mode of relieving satisfactorily and efficiently the distress which now prevailed so extensively. Claiming for the colony which he represented that it was peculiarly a maritime country, he said that it would naturally sympathise most heartily with the objects of the association whose guest he was. Efforts were being made to improve the character of the slaps engaged in the trade between this country and his colony, and it was his hope that before the expiration of the next twelve months a line of steamers, second to none, would bo engaged in direct communication between the two countries. Referring to the probability that many of the losses at sea occurred from fire, ho expressed his conviction that many of them might be attributed to attempts at the broaching of cargo, and trusted the efforts of the association would be continued to got them prevented by legislative interference.

The toast of the evening, “Prosperity to the Australian and New Zealand Underwriters’ Association,” was then proposed by the chairman. Five years ago, ho said, but one Underwriters’ Association existed, that of Melbourne, and even that did not occupy the position it does at the present day. There had been an association in Sydney, which, however, died of inanition. In February, 1875, our association had sprung into being, and after five years’ existence, wo find that there are no less than eight colonial associations existing, all through the London association. and working harmoniously together with it. We have long had the subject of general average before us, and the Melbourne association having joined us in the support of our action, have taken such steps as will enable us to look upon such statements as have come from their colony as things of the past; this is a matter of groat interest. Again, we send to the captains of vessels sailing from the United Kingdom to the Australian and New Zealand colonies, letters asking them to avoid a higher latitude than 42 S., in order to avoid the Orozots and other dangers, and begging them, also, when passing wreckage, to endeavour to ascertain what that wreckage is, and report it to the first port at which they touch, or to passing ships. Sir Julius Vogel touched on broaching cargo, a matter which we have had long before us, and only last year wo endeavoured to get the isolation of spirits made compulsory. The speaker proposed “ Prosperity to the Australian and New Zealand Underwriters’ Association.” The toast was received with acclamation.

Subsequent toasts, “ The Officers of the Association,” “ Underwriters and Underwriting,” “ The Visitors,” “The Chairman,” “ The Vice-Chairmen,” and “The Ladies,” were duly proposed and honored. Mr E. Toole acted as toastmaster, and the band of the Coldstream Guards, under the direction of Mr Fred. Godfrey, played a selection of music during and after the dinner.