Tuapeka Times AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 415, 9 December 1874, Page 2

Tuapeka Times AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

The importance of making provision for those who may be dependent on us is a subject that is often and seriously pressed upon our notice. Another of these casualties, which are occurring with startling frequency in our midst, has just happened. The head of a family has been suddenly cub down in the midst of his days, and leaves behind him a widow and four helpless children. Whether he has made any provision beyond the range of a friendly society, we are not informed. If not, we do not allude to the matter to reproach the dead, but to remind theliving of the obligations under which they lie to provide for their own — especially those of their own house. To secure the help which a friendly society affords under such a calamity is praiseworthy, and he who has done it has done well ; but we would urge on. all, especially the heads of families, to do better. Life Insurance is now so conducted as to be within the reach of every class in the community.

And we write at present to call attention to the scheme of Government Insurance for the working classes. In addition to the scheme whioh has been in operation for some years, the Government has instituted another to be worked in connexion with the friendly societies, the principal feature of which is that the payments are levied weekly, instead of annually, half-yearly, or quarterly. 'An agent is to call upon the assured every week, and the premiums range from one penny to three shillings per week, and the sums assured from five pounds to two hundred pounds, according to the age of each person when the insurance is effected. A few examples will show more clearly the power of the pence in connection with this subject. A lad aged sixteen may secure at death, by the payment of one penny weekly, a sum of £10 4s. A person aged twenty may secure, by the payment of sixpence per week, a sum of £56 14s. A man aged twenty-five may secure for one shilling per week, the handsome sum of £103 16 a. A middle-aged person, of say 40, may assure at death no less than £199 135., by the payment of 2s. 9d. per week. That the scheme is practicable simply depends on this : Whether the friendly societies or their officers will, for a certain per e'entage, undertake the duty ? and, we hope, in the interests of humanity they will do so. To induce them, the higher motive of doing good may be here associated with pecuniary profit, and even should that profit not be so high as they could desire, the humane motive may fairly be taken in as a balance to the deficiency. Some place is yet left in the world for those kindly feelings which look at the benefit of the community as a reward for personal services and personal sacrifices. ! And on those who cannot exercise the discipline of " laying by them in store " the requisite sum for quarterly payments of life insurance, we would press the consideration of this scheme of life insurance by weekly payments. "It ought to be regarded as a special boon to members of friendly societies throughout the Colony, and we may fairly anticipate that thousands will gladly avail themselves of its advantages. Where is the lad that cannot spare a penny a week ; where the young man, receiving weekly wages, who will find it difficult to invest regularly one sixpence in a certain and comfortable provision for those who may now, or at no very distant period, be dependent upon him for their support ? Where is the hard-working, honest mechanic, who will not consider a shilling a week a good investment, when it will secure for his wife and children something more than a cool hundred on his death, even though that should happen on the day following the payment of his first shilling." It is well for us that in the community there ia always a readiness to respond to any call that may be made upon it for those who may be suddenly overtaken by such calamities as we have already alluded to, and we hope that this will be no exception to previous cases. At the same time, we should like to see on the part of heads of families that spirit of honorable ambition which would strive to render these calls on the public unnecessary. The ambition of every member of the community ought to be by energy and perseverance, diligence and foresight, to maintain his own place in the battle of life, and this aim should include his household as well as , himself. Everyone who has courage and independence of mind to do this will do more j he will have -wherewith to bless [ others who may be less fortunately situated than himself. There are the weak in body and in mind, who will always be in the world, and in want of the help of their fellows. The greater need that the strong and. the vigorous should provide for themselves.

Since the above was "written, we have learned that the party whom we have alluded to' as having been so suddenly cut down among us had p'arposed' to insure his life next Christmas. Let the moral of this be to all similarly situated to act in such matters with decision.