ALL-IN" INSURANCE
[To the Editor of the .SPECTATOR.] Snr,—In the -comprehensive or "All-in " Insurance scheme which Mr: -Baldwin contemplates there seems to be afforded to the -Government nn ;opportunity of directing the attention of working-men and women into. a proper channel for realising their ambitions. Though -class-hatred and promises of the exploitathen of wealth have no doubt been -allowed to play their frill -part in .swelling the ranks of the Socialist Party, there.is .questionthat the desire of gaining a voice in the control of industry has been mainly -responsible for the popularity of Socialism among the working-classes. Having secured political freedom, -Labour -now seeks industrial freedom, but. upi to the present time the only political party which appears to have -recognized this -and-has :suggested a definite policy whereby to secure it, has been the Labour Party, which, however, has been definitely defeated at the polls. The ambition of the workers remains, and it is therefore highly desirable that alternative schemes, Whioh have the same end -in view, should be carefully considered.
I would suggest a policy-of assisting the workers themselves, either Ithrough.etheir Trade Unions or otherwise, to take a financial- stake =in the industries in which they are interested. It would be more profitable to utilize .their funds in this directionethan in subsidizing divides. Such a policy, -which is- likely to satisfy the progressive yet constitutional ideals of the -Conservative Party, has already 'found some measure of practical expression in various forms of profit-sharing schemes;but .it has:never been embodied in a- definite nation:1i scheme or taken up seriously by politicians. 'It-would be a real -alternative to 'Socialism in that itavotild afford -to the workers an opporturiitraf-securing both 'an interest in, as well-as -a voice An the-control of, industry,- and -in my view there-is, in--connexion with the -proposed Insurance scheme, an-apportunit' y of making a beginning -by providing that a proportion, at any rate, -of the employees' contributions to be levied -under .the scheme should zbe -capitalized in -their own industries. I would suggest that the State contribution alone should-11e levied in the form of -taxation, and that the contributions to -be-made -by-both employers :and -employees
respectively should be capitalized in industry itself. Trade Unions and friendly societies should be authorized to invest their funds in industry, and should be made responsible for collecting contributions from the workers _and administering the benefits. A part of the funds, representing the Insur- ance Fund, would be earmarked and held solely for insurance purposes—subject to proper safeguards.—I am, Sir, &e., MANAGINO DIRECTOR.
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