June 13, 1913. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1293 Government and the public that under a compulsory scheme, without proper safeguards—which do not exist in the present Act—a tremendous increase in sickness claims would arise as compared with that experienced under the voluntary schemes. I pointed out the experience of Germany and the great increase of sick- ness claims and of pauperism also found there, and of this country with Workmen’s Compensation, and how the cost had exceeded the original estimates in some cases by 10 times ; but the Government, under the strange influence of the Chancellor, insisted upon continuing their policy of plunging into the dark. I am not against national sickness insurance and never have been against it, given a sound scheme based upon knowledge of industrial conditions and upon experience. I am too well known to the working classes for them to imagine that I should be opposed to anything calculated to permanently improve their conditions; but 1 contend, as I have stated again and again, that the National Insurance Act operates most harshly upon those who need most consideration and help, that it is financially unsound, and that it will issue in bitter disappointment to thousands, that its condi- tions and restrictions are arbitrary and offensive, that its incidence is invidious and unjust and must ultimately result in increasing the cost of living and the burden of life, and that all these evils could have been avoided if reasonable time had been taken to enable those most interested to give the scheme due and proper considera- tion. What can be done now ? The Government should lose no time in doing now what should have been done at the outset. A special commission, of a thoroughly representative character, to considei’ the scheme with a view to its material amendment as may be found neces- sary, should be at once appointed, and, pending such commission’s report, no serious attempt should be made to amend the Act. For in the existing condition of Parliamentary business it is evident that Parliament cannot give time to the consideration of the hundreds of amendments suggested, and that more rushing tactics may result in making confusion worse confounded. If something of this kind is not done I am convinced that popular feeling against the existing scheme will so increase that it will sweep away both the Government and its ill-conceived Insurance Act. Charles W. Macara, President, Employers’ Parliamentary 15, Cross-street, Association. Manchester, June 3, 1913. Additional copies will be charged for at 5a. each, which will not be refunded. Copies of the specifications may also be GOKTRACTS OPEH FOR GOAL AHO GOKE. For Contracts Advertised in this issue received too late for inclusion in this column, see Leader and Last White pages. Athlone, June 25.—The Urban District Council of Athlone invite tenders for the supply of 1,600 tons of best screened gas coal, delivered in their works at Athlone in good and dry condition, in such quantities as may be required over the period of one year from date of notifica- tion of acceptance of the tender. Tenders should be placed in sealed envelopes marked “Tenders for coal,” and must be sent by registered letter, accompanied by a certificate of analysis, so as to reach the undersigned not later than 2 o’clock p.m. on Wednesday, June 25. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. No tender forms issued. P. V. C. Murtagh, clerk, Town Hall, Athlone. London, June 24—The Guardians of the Poor of the parish of St. Mary, Islington, are desirous of receiving tenders for the supply of coal and coke from July 1, 1913, to June 30, 1914. Sealed tenders endorsed “Tender for coal and coke,” and addressed to the Guardians, must be delivered at the Guardians’ Offices, St. John’s-road, Upper Holloway, N., on or before June 24, 1913. The tenders will be opened at a meeting of the Guardians, to be held on June 26, 1913, at the undermentioned offices. The Guardians do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. Printed forms of tender (which alone will be received), and which contain conditions of contract and estimated quantities, must be obtained from the clerk personally, or a stamped addressed brief-size envelope may be sent. Edwin Davey, clerk, Guardians’ Offices, St. John’s- road, Upper Holloway, N. London, June 30.—The Council of the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney will receive tenders from such persons as may be willing to enter into a contract for the supply between July 1, 1913, and June 30, 1914, as to part, and between August 1, 1913, and June 30, 1914, as to part, of about 29,000 tons, consisting of Welsh smokeless coal, hard bituminous steam coal (large and small), house coal, and coke. Of the above 29,000 tons, about 27,000 tons of bitu- minous and other small coal will be required to be delivered in barges of approximately 100 tons alongside the Council’s wharf at their Electricity Works, Narrow-street, Lime- house, E., the Council to unload the barges and bunker the coal. The balance is to be delivered in carts at such points in the borough as may be directed from time to time. Forms of tender and conditions of contract may be obtained on application to Wm. C. P. Tapper, M.I.E E., the borough eLctrical engineer and manager, at 27, Osborn-street, Whitechapel, E., on payment of a deposit of .£1 Is., which will be refunded to bona fide tenderers after the tenders have been adjudicated upon, or, in the event of no tender being sent in, upon satisfactory reasons for not tendering being given, together with the return of the specifications. seen at any time by appointment at 27, Osborn-street, Whitechapel, E. Sealed tenders, which may be for all or any part of the above quantity, must be addressed to the Chairman of the Electricity Supply Committee, endorsed