Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Wednesday 2 March 1910, page 5


SEAMEN'S COMPENSATION

ACT.

THE MEASURE IN OPERATION.

MELBOURNE, March 1.

The Seamen's Compensation Act, 1909, came into force to-day. It provides for the payment of compensation for seamen engaged upon Australian registered ships wherever trading, and, in certain cases, upon British and fora eign shins engaged in the coasting

trade who are killed or injured in the course of their occupation.

The measure is an extension to sea-men of the benefits conferred upon workers ashore by the Workmen's Compensation Acts of various States, the principle in each case being that the industry in which, as a result of acci. dents men are killed or maimed or prevented from earning their livelihood shall bear the obligation of providing compensation.

There is no obligation upon seamen to prove negligence as a condition precedent to success. Generally speaking, if a seaman is killed, his family may obtain an amount up to the measure of his earnings for about three years, or £200, whichever is the larger amount, but not exceeding in any case £500. Compensation for total or partial incapacitation runs up to 50 per cent, of the average earnings during the preced-ing twelve months, but not exceeding 30s. per week. .