PAYMENT OF INSURANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1917, Page 6

PAYMENT OF INSURANCE.

QUESTION ASKED BY MR. OKE'Y. From Our Parliamentary Reporter. Wellington, Oct. 10. Mr. Okev (Taranaki) asked the. Minister of Defence, Whether the Government paid as a matter of right the war risks on a limited amount of insurance charged by the different insurance companies on the life of a young man on -his going away to fight for the Empire, or was it a fac-t that the regulations guiding the Financial Assistance Board would not allow them to pay the amount if it could bo shown that the young man himself could pay it out of his allotment money? Sir J. Allen (Minister of Defence) replied: Subject to the circumstances of the individual case warranting a grant of financial assistance, the Soldiers Financial Assistance Board will grant insurance premiums on policies taken out some time prior to the date of enlistment of the soldier, or to his being called up in the ballot. New policies up to £2OO will be recognised by the Board where there is no existing policy, but only in cases where the soldier lias dependants and is contributing towards their support. ! Mr. Okey said that the position with regard to soldiers' insurance needed attention. The Financial Assistance Board would pay insurance premiums only In the cases of men who had domestic responsibilities. The Board would not pay pensions for single men who had not allotted their deferred pay and paid premiums for married men. Tliis was not a fair position. The payment of insurance premiums up to a reasonable flmount should be by right.