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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0752.PDF
the Government scheme of National Insurance, whereby the profits of the business go towards helping to neutralise the hideous waste and leakage in other directions arising out of the war. As a business proposition—from the Nation's point of view—the Government rates fixed upon are distinctly sound. From the insured's individual point of view, having regard to the universal character of the scheme, it is much too heavy, and might well have been a quarter the sum, viz., 6d. per cent.—to wit, one enterprising company already issues policies at is. gd. per cent. Twenty times the number of people would without doubt have then covered their property, whilst the risk would have remained the same—with much greater resulting profits for the National Exchequer. But after all, this phase of the war spells neither bank ruptcy to the individual nor affluence for the State, and we think the simplest solution to all the doubtful opinions is to see that all property is promptly protected under the scheme, and leave it to the future to bring forth some authoritative decision as to the liability for the premium. The amount in possible dispute is, after all, in the majority of cases comparatively negligible, in relation to the consequences of non-insurance, and in the conditions of the world. Mr. Lloyd George, who was, we believe, responsible for the Act, added another very fine piece of work to his magnificent record on behalf of the national and Imperial interests. Possibly an excellent and a very simple way out of the quandary would be for a short Act to be passed through both Houses, dividing up the liability between landlord and tenant in proper ratio, with the onus upon the landlord to see that adequate insurance is effected by the tenant with the right to himself insure, in the event of failure to cover on the part of the tenant within some very short period of the enactment, and to recover the tenant's moiety by distraint if necessary. We admit the passing of such an Act would necessarily deprive the newspapers of a large amount of gratuitous copy, and would probably eliminate all chances of a glorious number of law actions to the benefit of the legal profession. But we venture to prophesy that both these calamities would be lived down in time, and a good deal of bad blood saved between people who have been probably associated together for many decades. In the meantime a middle course has been put forward in The Times by Mr. A. G. Reed, in reply to a legal point raised by W.M.H., which would appear to meet the objections to put down the premium by either tenant or landlord. The point raised is very subtle, and might easily lead to litigation of the most refined order. W.M.H.'s point is as follows :— " It seems desirable that lessees should be warned against relying for protection against damage upon insurances effected in the name only of the landlord. '* The popular, and peihaps the common-sense, view is that it is the house that is insured by the policy ; but in law a policy is simply a contract of indemnity, i.e., to indemnify the person against loss. If, therefore, the lessee's covenants in the lease cover the ® ® The Roll of Honour. THE following have been officially announced by the War Office :— Under date September 26th : Wounded. Second Lieutenant E. R. Hyde, R. Berks Regt., attached R.F.C. Missing. Second Lieutenant M. W. Greenhow, W. Yorks Regt., attached R.F.C. Second Lieutenant J. N. Washington, Manchester Regt. and R.F.C. making good of damage caused by aircraft, then it appears that in law the ultimate burden of making good the damage would fall on the lessee, in spite of the policy. " Lessees, therefore, at any rate where the lease contains wide repairing covenants, should see either that any policy effected by the landlord is placed in the name of the lessee as well as that oi the landlord, or should effect a separate insurance in their own names." Mr. Reed comes to the rescue of both sides. He states that he believes the difficulty raised by W.M.H. "has in many cases been got over by landlords agreeing to effect the insurance policy in the name of the broker 'and or as agent.' The broker thus becomes agent for either landlord or lessee, which ever the law should decide was the responsible party. The issue of a policy in the name of a third person as agent, where any doubt exists as to liability, certainly seems a more sensible arrangement than that two policies should be effected by landlord and lessee for two premiums. The only merit of the latter course seems to be that under the Government scheme the State would get double premium and it will know what to do with it." Common sense therefore suggests that to meet the difficulties and uniqueness of the situation that short Act should be placed upon the Statute Book. Perhaps our Munitions Minister may find a spare moment to put in a good word for its adoption. We know Mr. Lloyd George, like all other up-to-date men of moment in this mundane world of ours, is acquainted with " FLIGHT," for has not that gifted artist, Mr. S. Begg, recorded its presence at the head of the list— all others are entirely in the shade—in his remarkable double-page picture in the Illustrated London News of last Saturday, of the Minister for Munitions in his office— a drawing made by special permission. With this hope we shall look forward to seeing, within a very short time, the suggested Bill an affaire accompli, provided always that parliamentary procedure permits of its being made law without undue delay. • • «• If justification were required of our psean 11 Q A of praise to the Royal Flying Corps last of the Day." week, for the invaluable work to their credit in connection with the move forward which the Allies were able to make, it is surely to be found in the "Order of the Day" issued by Sir John French on Monday last. It is one that our flying unit may well be proud of, and if incentive were needed— which it is not—to urge the R.F.C. officers and observers to even greater efforts it is there embodied. Sir John French's message was as follows :— "The Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief desires to express to Brigadier-General H. M. Trenchard, C.B ,D.S.O., A.D.C.,and all ranks of the Royal Flying Corps his appreciation of the valuable work they have performed during the battle which commenced on September 25th. He recognises the extremely adverse weather conditions which entailed flying under heavy fire at very low alti tudes. " He desires especially to thank pilots and observers for their plucky work, in co-operation with the artillery, in photography, and the bomb attacks on the enemy's railways, which were of great value in interrupting his communications. '' Throughout these operations the Royal Flying Corps have gallantly maintained the s-plendid record they have achieved since the commencement of the campaign." Under date September 27 th : Missing. Second Lieutenant B. G. James, R.F.A., attached R.F.C. Second Lieutenant L. \V. Yule, Royal Flying Corps. The following casualty in the Australian Imperial Force with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force has been announced:— Prisoner of War. Captain W. N. Treloar, Australian Royal Flying Corps.
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