LIFE ASSURANCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 46, 9 December 1871, Page 8

LIFE ASSURANCE.

The following letter, addressed to tho editor of the Independent, is referred to in an article which appears elsewhere : Sir, —I have recently had placed before me two subscription lists ; in each case it was on behalf of the wife and children ot a very respectable man who had met with sudden death, and left his wife and children destitute. The cases are without doubt deserving of great consideration on the part ot the public, and far„be it from mo to try to damp the charitable feelings of those who might feel disposed, and whose duty it is, to aid the widow and the fatherless. But I think the public should be protected from being always called upon to provide for the families of those who may have the opportunity ot themselves making proper provision. Considering the facilities that are now afforded by assurance offices, every parent or husband, nob having other provision made, should lay by a little something annually to insure his life. Without desiring further to refer to those who have been so unexpectedly taken away, I would warn those who remain that a neglect so to insure will certainly harden the hearts of those who ai’e striving themselves to make provision for their families, and that the public will not continue to be considered as a general assurance office for those who will not remember that they may be cut off at an unforeseen moment, and, having had the means, have neglected to provide for those who are dependent upon them. I write not as an assurance agent, for I have nothing to do with any assurance office, but I protest against a practice that involves humiliation on the part of those most unfortunate recipients of charity and injustice towards those who place themselves, by carefulness, in a different position. As “ everyone thinks every man mortal but himself,” all look forward to making provision at some future period. But such a mode is trifling with the stern l ogic of facts and will not weigh with that public which individually makes its own application of that immortality. I would apologise for trespassing upon your space, did I not feel that this is a subject affecting above all the welfare of those who may be left desolate under such

sudden afflictions, and on whose behalf I write as well—for, after all, what are the small amounts obtained by even what is considered a good subscription, compared with the amount that could easily bo obtained from an assurance office by the exercise of a little self - denial. Can a man of proper spirit look forward with any degree of satisfaction to the prospect of leaving those who should be dearer to him than life dependent on cold charity, and liable to hear reflections cast upon him who should have been everything to them. How much misery would an odd sixpence or shilling now and again lightly spent, possibly in a glass of grog, or game of billiards or any other passing inclination, have averted from the heads of those once held so dear. —I am, &o , A Married Man. December 1, 1871.