The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1883.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4413, 24 February 1883, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1883.

I The working of the Government Life ' Assurance scheme has, since its inception \ been the subject of much argument and controversy, and the interests of the people being bound up in it as they are* render it one open tq free criticism. The attractive offers made by the department hare, from time to time induced the people to support it, and become members of a—said to be—mutual institution totally unsubservient to political control. The privileges enjoyed by those who are fortunate enough to participate in its favors have been pictured in roseate hues, and perhaps very little over-coloring has been done in pushing its attractions. But we desire to draw aside the veil attempted to be pulled down on the acts of those who are entrusted with the

management of a department, which may. ! with justice, be desiguated a public one> Late disclosures have shewn that one officer at least in the department, who is in receipt of a salary of £450 per annum, was drawing, in addition, a sum equal to nearly £2000 a year as commission on work done' by agents, and this has been going on for some time. Upon the matter being taken up by the public, an order was issued by the lucky man, who has been by political influence placed in charge of the department, to his subordinates, to the effect that no information about the bnsiness of the office should be divulged to outsiders. We agree with this order in principle, as a great deal of unnecessary barrassing might be occasioned by indiscreet clerks liberating official secre|s, b«t if, as it appears in this case, officialdom is required to smother the manipulation of a few thousands of the insurers profits, which should be divided amongst them, it is time that some remonstrance should be made. The institution is kept alire by, and sup« posed to exist only for, the benefit of those insured. The thraldom of Government control is not supposed to exist in regard to it. It is believed to live outside the usual departmental halo. Yet, we see that upon a very grave charge being laid against the system of its working, no refutation is attempted, no explanation is offered; all that is done is simply that all channels for those little tilings to ooze out are closed. This department, as it is at present entitled to be called, should be placed on a different basis. It is supported by individuals, and those individuals should, alone, have a voice in its management. Political patronage should not interfere in the appointment of its officers, and were those who are interested in it entrusted with its direction, it is more than probable that it would be more efficiently conducted. Unless the many rumours regarding the unfitness of leading officials for their positions—the payment of large sums for commission—the want of organization in the department—the loss sustained by policy holders in the institution by careless management—and a variety of other causes of complaint, are cleared away the public will look with doubtful eyes on the institution, and the popularity which it, in a measure has gained, will in all probability be on the wane.