THE RAILWAY INSURANCE BILL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2533, 25 July 1893, Page 3

THE RAILWAY INSURANCE BILL.

A deputation from the Railway Conference now sitting at Wellington to discuss the Railway Insurance Bill waited on the Railway Commissioners on Friday, when the Commissioners stated their intentions with regard to the various amendments proposed in the clauses of the Bill. After some discussion and further consideration, an agreement was come to. Yesterday a deputation from the Railway Insurance Conference, accompanied by Mr McKerrow, Chi-f Railway Commissioner, waited on the Premier. In reply to a question by Mr Seddoa, Mr McKerrow said the Conference was held with the approval of the Commissioners. Mr Gray, secretary to the Conference, explained the amendments in the Railway Insurance Bill proposed, by the Conference. It was desired to have a Bill so framed that it would give satisfaction to all grades and classes in the service. Personally he knew that the whole service agreed with the principle of the measure, and if the Government would secure its passage through Parliament they would receive the thanks and support of the service generally. Mr McKerrow explained that when the rules and regulations were fixed it would cost very little to carry out the Bill. The Commissioners were anxious for some scheme that would obviate application being made to the Commissioners and the Government for compensation in every case of accident as was done at present. The Commissioners wished the scheme to be self-supporting aqd witui a State guarantee, but the O’poference desired a Government subsidy pa f-he contributions. That was, to the Commissioners’ mind, the crucial point of the Conference’s Bill. Taking the present strength of the service, the subsidy would amount to a little more than £5001) annually. Mr Seddon. said he would object , “1 re P l /- nronosal to ' " 4 toto to the proposal .ow the men to increase ,-oir contributions for tfio purpose of increasing the amount! of their retiring al-. lowanca qa t W ch prpyisjon would be entirely tp the adyqutage of the best,paid men in the service. Mr Gray interjected that the proposal emanated from the shunters. Mr Seddon ; " Then they are asking for an utter impossibility.” Continuing, be sail the action of the delegates in meeting to frame legislation on their own behalf was one that ho did not altogether agree with at first, but as it was with the sanction of the Commissioners he had nothing more to say. It must be borne in mind that the whole Government Service had to be considered. not one branch only, and the Government could not legislate piecemeal. Here was one branch of the service asking for a subsidy of £SOOO per annum, and what was done to one branch might fairly be claimed by another. The admission that friendly societies and insurance companies could do all that the Bill provided must be seriously considered, as the Government must take into accoant the effect the Bill would have on these institutions. This phaso of the question was a very serious quo. What, he asked, might bo the effect pi the withdrawal of a large number from the friendly gpcities, especially iu the face of

the statement that feme of the latter were not very strong financially ? The Government must look at this side of the question as in the event of a disastrous result they would receive blame. It was admitted, however, that something required to be done in regard to many features of the Bill, and the Government were desirous of doing this something. He would place the views of the delegates before his colleagues, and ask the Commissioners to get the proposals contained in the Bill submitted to actuarial computation. Fair time should be given every man in the service to consider the proposals, and if any objected they should have the support of the meeting in saying so. The Government would not act hastily in a matter of such great importance.