THE NEW GERMAN NATIONAL INSURANCE LAW.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."1 SIR,—In his review of Dr. Wilhelm Moller's new book, appear- ing in your issue of July 8th, your contributor is in error in stating that under the new law "employers must henceforth pay one-half, instead of, as now, one-third of the sickness insurance premiums." The Bill, as drafted, did contain this provision, but in the course of its progress through the Reichstag it was finally decided to leave the status quo un- changed as regards the payment of premiums. As the result, however, of other amendments affecting the mode of electing officers and committees, &c., the employers will henceforth be able to play a far more considerable part in the management of the Kassen—a result which is by no means palatable to the Social Democratic working men, who have hitherto bulked so largely in the local administration of the German sickness insurance scheme. But Englishmen must never forget that in Germany a Social Democrat is not necessarily synonymous with a Socialist.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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