Accident Branch of the Government Insurance Department.

This branch commenced business in June, 1901. It was opened mainly with a view to covering the liabilities of employers of labour, which were considerably increased at that time by the coming into operation of the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act of 1900.

"The Employers' Liability Act, 1882," and its amendments give a workman the right to claim for any accident caused through any defect in the ways, works, machinery, or plant of the employer, or through the neglect of any overseer in the service of the employer, with certain limitations the maximum amount he can claim being £500.

If the accident occurs in course of employment in or about a mine, factory, building, or vessel, the compensation becomes a charge on the employer's interest in the property. This charge takes precedence of all existing or subsequent charges or encumbrances howsoever created other than those lawfully existing at the time of the commencement of the Act.

The Department offers a great variety of accident indemnity policies and benefits, framed to meet the requirements of all classes. Its policies contain the maximum benefits for a minimum premium, and are free from harassing restrictions. All genuine claims are settled on liberal principles without trouble to the assured.

The chief policy is one taking over the entire liability imposed on employers of labour, on account of accidents to their workmen, by "The Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act, 1900," and its various amendments, "The Employers' Liability Act, 1882," and its amendments, and by common law up to £500 on account, of an accident to any one person. Under the Employers' Liability Acts and at common law the employer, before he is liable, must to some extent be to blame for the accident; but under the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act passed in 1900 he is liable for all accidents occurring while his men are at work; the only exception being when he can prove that the accident was caused by both serious and wilful misconduct on the part of the worker. The liability is therefore a serious matter for a small employer, but a complete cover can be obtained from the Department for a moderate premium on the wages expended.

Table L.—£1,000 payable for death or permanent total disablement; £500 for permanent partial disablement; £6 per week payable up to fifty-two weeks while the assured is totally unable to follow his occupation through an accident, or one- page 15 quarter of this amount while partially unable to attend to business; £6 payable up to twenty-six weeks while laid up by any of the following diseases : Appendicitis, Asiatic cholera, bubonic plague, carbuncle, diphtheria, erysipelas, measles, pleurisy, pneumonia, scarlet-fever, small-pox, tetanus, typhoid or typhus fever. If the accident leads to permanent general disablement (i.e., permanent disablement other than that arising from loss of hands or feet, or loss of sight), £30 per annum is payable when the weekly allowance ceases.

If any of these disabilities are caused by an accident to a railway-train, electric or cable tram-car the benefits are doubled.

For first-class risks the rates are £8, and for half and quarter benefits £4 and £2 respectively.

Table N provides for £1,000 payable for death or permanent total disablement by accident; £500 for permanent partial disablement; £6 per week up to twenty-six weeks while the assured is unable to follow his occupation through accident, and one-quarter of this amount while he is partially unable to do so.

For first-class risks the rates are £6, and for half and quarter benefits £3 and £1 10s. respectively.

Table N^w.—Workmen will be insured under this table at reduced rates for accidents happening to them in their own time, and for which they have no claim on their employer. A premium of £2 per annum will provide a workman with £500 for death or permanent disablement : £250 for permanent partial disablement: and £3 per week while totally unable to work, or 15s. when only partially able to do so, A premium of £1 per annum will provide half these amounts.

Table P provides £6 per week up to twenty-six weeks while the assured is disabled by an accident and is unable to attend to his business, and £1 10s. while partially disabled. The premium tor first-class risks is £3 15s. Higher and lower amounts are granted provided the amount insured for does not exceed the weekly earnings.

With corresponding benefits for half and quarter rates. No weekly allowance is given under this table, and it is very suitable for a workman who in ordinary circumstances will receive half-wages from his employer in the event of disablement.

The absence of sufficient data upon which to base the rates is a reason for great caution in building up a business of this description; but the interests of the life-insurance policy-holders cannot suffer, as the life funds are in no case liable, and the costs of conducting the business are borne entirely by the Accident Branch itself.