INSURANCE COMPANIES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 19 July 1913, Page 4

INSURANCE COMPANIES.

'Business people of Masterton have received a somewhat rude shock to their •system during the last few wetfks at the receipt of intimation that their insurance premiums have been considerably increased. Naturally the first question asked is, "What is tin cause?" Can it be that the companies have put their heads together and determined that there shall ibe an all-round increase, so that the public, and not the companies, will pay the cost of maintaining efficient fire services? Or, is it that the water supply of Masterton is not what it should be ? The business people have a right to know what justification, if any, there is for the enormous increase. If the excuse is a defective water service, this matter could bespeedily remedied. If, on the other hand, it is a general movement to harden up rates, in view of the demands upon the companies to assist in maintaining Fire Brigades, then the insuring public should be made aware of the fact. Whatever the reason may be, it is significant tlv the State Department does not find it necessary to increase its rates. The remedy, therefore, is in the hands of the property-owners themselves. If they are not satisfied with the treatment they receive from private companies, let them transfer tiheir risks to the State.