THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1882. THE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2547, 7 June 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1882. THE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

It is with the sincerest pleasure that wo notice a movement being made which, if successful, will result in a reduction of the present high rates of insurance. We have not one word to say against the companies combining together if they so wish. It is perfectly fair and legitimate in the matter of trade that such an arrangement should be entered into. But, as we pointed out some time back, it becomes quite another thing when such a combination is persisted in, despite the remonstrances of the public, and as we think unfairly, as compared with the rates ruling elsewhere. Statistics show us that Christchurch stands perhaps higher than any city of the colony in respect to immunity from fire. The losses of the insurance companies in Christchurch risks during the past five years have been infinitesimal; why then, we ask, should the residents here be forced into paying a much higher rate than elsewhere, while the risk is so much reduced? We have admittedly one of tho best Fire Brigades in the colony, and our appliances, whilst not quite so perfect as might be wished, are yet exceedingly good. The contribution by the Insurance Companies to the annual cost of fire prevention is ridiculously small when compared with the advantages almost solely reaped by them. The Brigade is in truth very largely maintained for the benefit of the Insurance Companies, and yet not only do they exact a most exorbitant rate of insurance, but contribute a mere fraction of what they should do under the circumstances towards the cost of maintaining fire prevention appliances. The citizen’s are therefore mulct doubly. First, by excessive premiums; and secondly, by having to pay out of the rates a goodly proportion of the whole cost of fire prevention. Another point to which we desire to draw attention is, that the character of the buildings now being erected, which are rapidly displacing the older and more inflammable ones, is such as to afford a still further protection to Insurance Companies, and should, together with the other facts which we have stated, induce them to abate their rates. It would be far more graceful on their part to yield to what is inevitable —viz., a reduction—than to bo forced so to do by the formation of a powerful Mutual Assurance Company here. The movement begun in Sydenham last night will not atop there, but we feel certain will receive a very hearty and substantial amount of support from the residents in Christchurch and suburbs. is another instance of the apathy with which Christchurch people view any matter affecting their interests that they have been content to pay so long tho high rates imjjosod upon insurers by the Association. Had it been in Dunedin, or any other of the cities of the colony but hero, wo should long oro this have seen an independent

company starting,willing to do business on a fairbasia. No one would regret more than wa should to see Insurance Companies started charging premiums so low as to render it impossible for them to have afair margin to cover risks. But there is a great deal of difference in the charging of what is admitted to bo a most excessive rate. In no other part of the colony is such a rate charged, whiht at the same time, as wo have already pointed out, Christchurch has for the last four or five years enjoyed an. immunity from fires cf anything like a serious nature. Wo trust that the movement for the establishment of an independent insurance company, whether on the principle of co-operation or by invitation to one of the companies already in work, will be taken np most heartily. It only wants to be put before the public in a proper manner to ensure the adhesion of sufficient insurers to guarantee its success. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. It is to be hoped that the project now on foot for the inauguration of a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will receive very general support. The want of some eneh organisation is exceedingly apparent to every one who takes an interest in the matter, and, therefore, wo trust to see the meeting to-morrow night both largely and influentially attended. We do not mean to say that thare exists in oar midst any widespread wilful cruelty to animals, but people—wo trust unthinkingly—do, in many instances, inflict a large amount of unnecessary pain. This is more marked in connection 1 with fowls, Ac., at the Saturday markets of the city. It is impossible to visit any of these without seeing much that ought to he avoided, and a society like the one projected will be able to do a great deal of good by educating tho people, as it were, np to a standard of care and kindness to animals which at present does not exist so largely as could be desired. It is a question whether legislation will net ha required to meet somo cases which the society will probably meet with in the scope of its operations. It is true, that for acts of gross and wanton cruelty the law provides a penalty, but there are numerous cases in which, though cruelty is undoubtedly practised, it would be almost impossible to bring under the penal clauses of the law. It is in dealing with these that the society will he of great usefulness; and, therefore, it might be as well to consider whether it is not desirable to i strengthen the hands of the society by legislation, either municipal or general. However this may be, it is a step in the right direction to form such a society, and the project will no doubt receive, as it deserves, the warm support of the public.