INSURING DAIRY STOCK.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10704, 27 August 1912, Page 4

INSURING DAIRY STOCK.

Dairy factories are just about commencing operations for the new seayon, after the close of an all-round prosperous year._ The directors of Co-operative Dairy Companies might well turn their attention to the important, matter of insuring farmers against loss by death of their cattle. At the present time when cattle are destroyed by Government agents on account of tuberculous disease, a refund is mule to the farmer equal to about one-third of the value of the beast destroyed. There are, however, many death p amongst cows from causes other than contagion* diseases, and the entire loss falls on each owner. The importance and value of insurance to the farmer in tin's line is fully recognised in the Old Country, and few farmer.-; there have the courage or the recklessness to ignore the opportunities} provided for them of covering themselves against hc.ivy loss. Such a form of insurance can be undertaken by co-operative dairy .companies, as each member has a personal, interest in seeing that others actin good faith. Before definite action is taken it would be .necessary to ascertain the rate of mortality to be expected. In England returns from 17 societies gave the percentage of deaths at 2.2 per annum. That 'is much lower than could be expected in New Zealand. Another point of importance is the amount the company would be called on to pay on, the death of an insured animal. These two factors would regulate the premium to be paid, and would not be difficult to arrive at. After a reserve fund is established premiums -could be reduced in proportion' to safety. The question is of sufficient importance to dairy farmers, generally to warrant them in asking their directors to discuss the (subject. If companies, generally, adopted the scheme, some federation of interests of the companies could afterwards he arranged through the agency of the- National Dairy Association.