The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1874.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1767, 1 September 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1874.

The regulations respecting Government . Industrial Insurance are now published, and also a table showing the amounts payable at death for certain weekly premiums. • These regulations are intended to carry out the suggestions of the Commissioner of Annuities (contained in his last annual report) to extend the benefits of the Government scheme to persons who might not feel inclined to avail themselves of its advantages by paying quarterly, half-yearly or yearly premiums, but who would probably do so if payments could be made weekly. The new regulations and tables provide for this. Any person from the age of sixteen to sixty may now effect an insurance on his life by payment of a weekly premium—such insurance not to exceed the sum of £200. The conditions affecting proposals and , medical examination are similar. to those hitherto in operation under the Government system, modified, of course, to meet the different circumstances. For instance, sums assured under the "industrial" regulations are not payable in full until the expiration of twelve calendar months from the date of policy. If the insured die within twelve mouths one half of the

sum assured is payable; if within six months, no part of the sum assured becomes payable unless the insured should; die of accident, apoplexy, cholera, typhus or scarlet fever; then one-fourth of the sum assured shall be payable. Under the regulations for quarterly, half-yearly and yearly payments, as soon as one premium has been paid the insured becomes entitled to all benefits. If he should die then the full amount of the sum assured would be paid. It could scarcely be expected that, this condition would, be attached to the industrial tables, the weekly payments being apparently based upon a very moderate scale, considering the advantages which such a scheme offers. The extension of the Government scheme in the direction indicated and intended in and by these regulations should prove to be a great boon to the large industrial class of the colony, many of whom will take advantage of it. By payment of one shilling per week a person of the age of 25 may secure the payment at death to his wife, or children, or other relative, of the sum of £103 16s. Many men of this age, or thereabouts, belong to perhaps two benefit societies, into each of which they will pay a shilling or more weekly; in consideration of which they become entitled to receive a sum of money weekly j during sickness, and, in case of death, the surviving relatives would be entitled to sufficient to give the member decent, burial —seldom more. It is not intended by this to underrate the ralue of benefit societies; they are admirable ia their way, arid as far as they go; They make provision for a time of need during the lifetime of those who are provident enough to seek their assistance; while life assurance enables persons to make provision for helpless ones they may leave behind. The two institutions are admirable in their different objects. The. new regulations of the Government assurance scheme should do much towards popularising what has already proved a most unqualified success.