and the Poor Law. 
115 
possible from resorting to the rate, on the other, a trustworthy 
and easily understood system of insurance should be offered to 
them under Government supervision. 
Effort has already been made to obtain such a boon to the 
working classes by the directors of the Kent Friendly Society 
and various boards of guardians, agricultural and clerical asso- 
ciations in Kent, by urging on the attention of the Duke of 
Montrose, when Postmaster-General, the proposal for an exten- 
sion of the 27th and 28th Vic. cap. 43, by which certain 
insurances may be effected at the Post Office. The memorialists 
prayed that the sums payable at death might be granted as low 
as 5Z., and that " endowments " might be obtainable ; and, lastly, 
that such a system might be established as would allow labourers 
to secure, by a single policy of insurance obtainable from the 
Post Office, sums, in sickness, from six shillings a week and upicards, 
together with burial money from 51. and upwards. The objections 
with which the proposal for sickness pay and burial money 
were met were fairly disposed of by a deputation of the me- 
morialists.* Nor has any valid argument against the proposal 
been advanced, unless that is held to be valid which consists in 
the unwillingness of influential officers of the Post Office, who do 
not view it at present with favour, and whose benevolent exertions 
for the benefit of the insuring public entitle their opinion to 
respect. It remains to be seen whether, by the sagacious 
counsels and guidance of the successor of the Duke of Montrose, 
the co-operation of those who now stand aloof might not be 
obtained. The argument that the good of the community, and 
especially of the labouring classes of the lower degree, may be 
secured and promoted by such a measure will not, we are sure, 
be without its weight with them. The Chief Commissioner, 
Mr. Tremenheere, endorses, in the report already alluded to, the 
opinion that this proposal is one which " is well deserving further 
■consideration." f ' 
The principal details of this proposal may here be briefly 
stated : — 
Sickness pay and burial money to be offered in a single 
insurance, to healthy male persons under 36 years of age, from 
Gs. a week, for a term of weeks, with 5/. at death, to 20^. a week 
with 20/. at death. All contributions, and the claim for sickness 
pay, to cease at 70 years of age. 
In order to encourage respectable labourers to join early, there 
should be but two scales of contributions ; one for persons under 
* See the appendix to " The Keport of the Commission in Agriculture," p. 101 ; 
or the pamphlet, " Friendly Societies v. Beer-house Clubs" (Ridgway, Piccadilly); 
in which the objections are dealt 'with. 
t Keport of the Commission. 
