J. H. RICHARDSON.]

15

I.—9a.

Appendix. Second Schedule.

* (1.) For the purposes of this schedule the loss of one eye by a worker who is already permanently and wholly blind in the other eye shall be deemed to be the loss of both eyes. * (2.) For the purposes of this schedule the loss of a hand or foot by a worker who has already lost a hand or a foot shall be deemed to be a loss of both hands, or both feet, or a hand and a foot, as the case may be. (3.) For the purposes of this schedule an eye, hand, or foot shall be deemed to be lost if it is rendered permanently and wholly useless. (4.) Where a worker suffers by the same accident more than one of the injuries mentioned in this schedule, he shall not in any case be entitled to receive more than full compensation as for total incapacit} , . * These— i.e., (1) and (2) —should come out, otherwise they may affect premiums. The inclusi. n will sooner or later prevent such people getting work, as the insurance companies will be doubtful about covering such risks if dealt with in this way, tne liability being so great. Friday, 18th September, 1908. George Henry Lightpoot examined. (No. 4.) 1. The Chairman .] What are you? —President of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council. 2. Your Council takes some interest with regard to this workers' compensation question?— Yes, we have considered the Bill at some length. 3. You have had a copy of this Bill?— Yes. 4. And you are here in a representative capacity on behalf of the Council?— Yes. 5. Will you proceed with your statement in your own way? —I might say that my Council is very well satisfied with the Bill, generally speaking, but there are one or two small matters which we think could be amended. There is one thing I would like to refer to before proceeding further, and that has regard to the last paragraph in the memo, to the Bill. 6. The memo, is never part of a Bill: it is supposed to be a description of the Bill when first introduced; it is only supposed to be explanatory of it in the first instance?—We have looked through the Bill very carefully, and could not discover anything regarding this last paragraph: " But he cannot sue his employer for damages merely because of the negligence of a fellow-servant." There is nothing in the Bill covering that. If the Committee is satisfied of that we will take no further notice of it, but we would like to be assured on the point.

. Nature of Injury. Ratio of Compensation to that for Total Permanent Incapacity of the Worker if this Schedule did not apply. Loss of both eyes Loss of both hands Loss of both feet Loss of a hand and a foot ... .... The total and incurable loss of mental powers, involving inability to work The total and incurable paralysis of the limbs or of the mental powers ... The total loss of the right arm, or of the greater part of the arm The total loss of the left arm, or of the greater part of the arm The total loss of the right hand, or of five fingers of the right hand, or of the lower part of the right arm The total loss of the same for the left hand and arm ... The total loss of a leg ... m ... The total loss of a foot or the lower part of the leg The total loss of the sight of one eye, together with the serious diminution of the sight of the other eye The total loss of hearing ... The total loss of the sight of one eye The total loss of the thumb of the right hand The total loss of the thumb of the left hand The total loss of the forefinger of the right hand The total loss of the forefinger of the left hand The total loss of part of the thumb of the right hand ... The total loss of the little finger of the hand The total loss of the middle or ring-finger of the hand The total loss of a toe or of a joint of a finger Complete deafness of one ear In the case of the loss of several members, the reduction of wages to correspond to the sum of the relative quota of the single reductions, but must not exceed in all The present value at 5 per cent, compound in erest of the full weekly compensation as for total permanent incapacity (as above). 80 per cent, of ditto. 75 70 65 75 60 „ 75 50 30 30 25 „ 20 15 15 „ 12 „ 8 „ 5 10 80 „