THE INSURANCE ACT.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Having been a member of the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society upwards of 23 years, I think a clear statement of the position in which I shall find myself when the National Insur- ance Act comes into force may be of interest to many of my fellow working men. In the past I have paid 10s. a quarter to the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society, which has entitled me to receive (together with minor benefits) 18s. a week sick pay. I now find that if under the Insurance Act I continue to pay the same 10s. a quarter, made up by 4s. 4d. (4d. a week deducted from my wages under the Act) and 5e. 8d. extra contribution I shall still receive 18s. a week sick pay. The 5d. a week (5s. 5c1. a quarter) contributed by my employer (3d.) and the State (2d.) will give me, I am told by the Hearts of Oak, the additional benefits of free medical attendance and treat- ment, an increase of le. a week reduced sick pay if I am ill for more than 52 weeks, sanatorium benefit, but no increase in sick pay, whereas if there was no Insurance Act this 5s. 5d. a quarter added to ray 10s. a quarter should at the same rate give me 28s. a week sick pay, together with minor benefits. There remain the additional benefits under the Act. Now I can get medical attendance and treatment (I have done so in the past) for le. 6d. a quarter ; deducting this ls. 6d. from the 5s. 5d. leaves 3s. 11d. a quarter, in return for which I am offered one shilling a week extra sick pay-5s. instead of 4s.—if I am ill for more than fifty-two weeks on end and sanatorium benefit if I have consumption, both benefits very seldom needed by the average working man. From this I draw the conclusion that it will be much better for myself and the thousands in a similar position if the National Insurance Act never comes into force.
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