§ 21. Mr. WEDGWOODasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the pay of most of the life assurance agents under the National Insurance Act is now 1s. 2d. per member per annum; whether he is aware that some societies pay more; whether he is aware that this pay works out at about 3d. per hour for the agent on the average; and, seeing that the only method those men have of obtaining more equitable terms is by the direct action of the strike, whether he will now take their case into favourable consideration?
Mr. BENNAs I have frequently stated the terms on which officials and agents of societies are employed must be settled between the parties concerned, and they are not reported to the Commissioners, who have no power to interfere.