AUSTRALIANS NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10068, 9 February 1909, Page 1

AUSTRALIANS NEWS.

[By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright (P eji Press Association'.) Received February 8, at 10.35 a.m. Melbourne, February 8. The Savonara won the cup. Received "February 9, at 1.10 a.m. Sydney. February 8. Word, —There is' animated competition at late rates for all the better spinning sorts, while medituus and faultics are irregular. and sell in buyers' favor Greasy went- to 12! d. At the inquiry into the stranding ol the Karuah. Molloy's certificate was suspended for six montli6. Details of the deciding race for the Savonara Cup are delayed, and are unavailable. The Savonara won after an exciting contest, heating the Thelma by about, a minute. A fresh southerly breeze m-i.vnilcd at the start, but became lighter towards the finish of the race.

WORKERS' GOMP £NBAT I! G N

(PER. Press A?soriATtof,i Reefton, February 8.

}lr Guinness' scheme is published in ihe liiangahua Times tonight. Mr Guinness was received with applause. He stated that the battle re medical examination remained to be fought in the House of Representatives. There was bound to he opposition, and the question arose whether clause 10 of the Workers Compensation Act should be swept away, or clause 19. to which employees objected. He had devisgd a scheme of general workers' insurance, which he_ held would answer the purpose. The insurance account was even now too high. _£l for each £IOO extra was too high indeed — (applause)—and altogether the premiums were not commensurate with the_ revenue received. Take the two corporations, the Ocean and New Zealand, with the Government accident branch, and it would -e found that for the two years 1906-0/ their revenue, less reinsurance, amounted to—New Zealand, £116,267, while the claims paid during the same period were £46,679; Ocean Accident £127,467. claims £58,268 : Government Insurance, £42,291, against £17.248. leaving a surplus of revenue of £122,331.Were this devoted to the Government only the saving in commission and office ■ extras would result in a better benefit to the workers, and might be less cost to the employers. His proposal was to found a national sick and accident fund, providing for each worker, if incapacitated ' for any reason, receiving half wages during his incapacity : in case t of death, either £SOO as now, or, if the Board to he set up considered it better, 12s per week to the widow and; 4s to the children till the one was married and the other arrived- at the age of 16. The contributions to this end should be proportionately shared by the employer and the employees, the latter being insured for all' hours of the 24, and from every ailment, sickness, disease, or accident, and not, as now, for working hours only. The' Government, as it would be assisted by diminished expenditure on char "table aid, should assist. The Post Office would_ be the collecting agency, -and the medical examiner's certificate the- sole voucher. Employers, instead of paying in advance, as now, to the companies, would pay a percentage on ' the wages paid,, and be empowered to deduct the workers' contribution. say a fourth from their wages. No medical examination would be required and no legal proceedings necessary. The Workers' Compensation Act would be repealed, and this could take its place. Considerable discussion took nlace, but genera.ll in favor of. some such scheme. •