H.—llA

5

was increased to 66§ per cent, of average weekly earnings, with, a maximum of £4 per week and a total of £1,000. As a result of our investigations we make the following recommendations, in the order in which they have application to the present Act • 1. That the last portion of section 3 of the English Act (having Section 2. reference to persons engaged in plying for hire with any vehicle or vessel the use of which is obtained from the owner thereof under any contract of bailment —other than a hire-purchase agreement —in consideration of the payment of a fixed sum or share in the earnings or otherwise) be incorporated in the New Zealand Act, and also that the definition of the term " worker " be extended to include share milkers. 2. That the words " five hundred and twenty pounds " be sub- Section 2. stituted for the words " four hundred pounds " as now contained in the definition of " worker," section 2. 3. That the Act be extended to cover a worker not employed Sections, in and for the purposes of any trade or business carried on by the employer, or in any occupation now included in the First Schedule (excepting domestic service, the special provision for which should be cancelled, and which service would then fall strictly within the proposed extension), when such a worker has been employed by the employer in whose service the accident occurs for a period of at least three consecutive days within the period of twelve months immediately preceding the day of the accident: compensation to be computed in such manner as is best calculated to give the rate per week at which the worker was being remunerated. 4. That the New Zealand Act be brought into line with the Section 3. English statute of 1925, section 3, in so far as illegal employment is concerned. 5. That the minimum sum set out in section 4 (1) (a) be £500 in Section 4. lieu of £300. 6. That the reference in section 4 (1) (c) to medical or surgical Section 4. attendance, including first aid, be deleted ; that the words " twentyfive pounds " be substituted for the words " fifty pounds " ; and that the provisions in respect of medical, surgical, and hospital treatment, including first aid, contained in our recommendation No. 8 hereunder be applied in fatal cases. 7. That weekly payments be a sum calculated as at present, but Section 5 (5). not to exceed £3, plus £l for wife and ss. for each child under sixteen years, or other dependant, but in no case to exceed 100 per cent, of the worker's average weekly earnings, with a maximum of £4 10s. 8. (1) That the cost of medical, surgical, and hospital treatment Section 5 (10). (including first aid) be paid, but not exceeding a total sum of £25. (2) The scale of charges for hospital treatment to be prescribed shall be based on those in force by the public hospital nearest to the scene of the accident, to be calculated at a rate not exceeding £3 per week. (3) The charge for medical or surgical treatment other than hospital treatment shall be calculated at a rate of ss. per treatment (or visit), but not exceeding £l per week. (4) The charge for first aid shall be limited to the customary charge made in the community for such service to a member of the general public, but not exceeding £l. (5) The cost of medical, surgical, and hospital treatment shall be paid direct by the employer to the medical practitioner or hospital, and, with the exception of first-aid treatment, the doctor to be engaged shall be approved by the employers. 9. (1) That the principle of section 43 of the English statute of section 10. 1925 be incorporated in the New Zealand Workers' Compensation Act in so far as it ajjplies to industrial diseases, a residential