MEETING AT ORMOND.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1176, 16 October 1882, Page 2

MEETING AT ORMOND.

A lecture on life assurance was advertised by Mr C. F. Barker, the travelling agent for the Government Life Assurance, was delivered at Bruce’s Hall, Ormond, on Saturday evening last. There was a very good attendance, and Mr J. Bidgood having been voted to the chair, in a few an appropriate words, introduced Mr Barker to those present.

Mr Barker thanked those present for attending, and said that he was pleased to see so many in the hall, and would in a few brief words explain “What Life Assurance Is.” He said it was the dictate of common sense in that it is a practical provision against the contingencies of a precarious future. The knowledge that his life is insured adds weight to a man’s character, increases his self-respect, gives him additional credit, makes his obligations more sure of being met, gives him confidence in himself, and furnishes to others evidence of his prudence, forethought, and honesty. It seemed to him scarcely credible that any husband or father, and as it were with “ malice pr epenose,” refuse his family the provision so cheaply and so surely supplied by a life insurance policy, and dying leave the helpless little ones to the selfish and precarious charity of a busy world. And yet yearly instances by thousands occur. He could name one, that of the late Mr Jack, of Napier, who was a member of two Societies and never deemed it advisable to drop one bo as to insure his life for the benefit of his children, and his family would, had it not been for the exertions of a few friends, been left utterly penniless. The lecturer said that the system of life insurance habituated prudence, economy, and thrift, not only in the case of the assured, but all his family are taught the value of money and the necessity for providing for a rainy day by the judicial reminders of a life insurance premium. They realise how much a policy promises to return for the comparatively small sum it costs. For instance, if you take a life policy of £lOO onesees by the following figures how you can “in an instant” create a capital for your family though you be ever so poor— ACE. YEARLY PERM. WEEKLY PAYMT. 20 ... £1 10 4 7d. 25 ... £1 14 11 Bd. 30 ... £2 0 6 9d. 35 ... £2 6 6 lid. 40 ... £2 14 8 Is. Id.

The lecturer said that it would be seen by the above that this system of life assurance is a better investment than a Savings Bank, because money in a Bank is seizable for debts, but a life policy is beyond the reach of creditors. Some of those present might naturally ask the question, “Supposing we find ourselves after three or four premiums are paid that through some unforseen circumstances our policy lapsed!” To that he would refer them to the absolute security from loss clause which states—“lf from any reason a policy-holder in the New Zealand Government is unable to continue his payments after having made three yearly payments, he can:—“(a). Sell his policy back, for one generally greater than the amount he has paid, free of all premiums; or, (b). He can have credit, for premiums in arrear, until (with interest at 6per cent,) they exceed the surrsadw value,"

Mr Barker fully explained this to the meeting. He continued and said he would ask those, one and all, present who were not insured to come forward and lay by a small sum for the sake of their wives and children. He would put it to them most strongly and ask them to think how they would be on thei.l deathbed with the knowledge that they had neglected to make provision for the little helpless ones they had left behind. To the young men he saw in the room he would strongly advise them to lose no time in obtaining an insurance on their lives by taking out an endowment policy for £lOO or so, to draw at a certain age of life. Say a man at 20 by putting by 7s per month can insure his life for £lOO for 20 years with compund interest, or a less sum for 25 to 30 years. He said that he had explained the question to them in a few brief words, and he would be happy to answer any questions. Several questions were asked and answered to the satisfaction of those present. A vote of thanks was proposed to the Chairman and the Lecturer. After the lecture several came and made application for insurance policies.