FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7842, 15 October 1903, Page 2

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Last Night's Demonstration.

Interesting Speeches

Large crowds of people witnessed last night's demonstration of the Friendly Societies, which took the form cf a torchlight procession round the Square. The Druids, Foresters, Oddfellows, and Rechabites turned out in regalia and with torches, and, marshalled by Messrs Follas and Hunt, marched *to the Theatre Royal to music supplied by the Palmerston, Municipal, and Salvation Army Bands. 'Two huge banners specially imported from Wellington for the occasion added impressiveness to a picturesque scene. There was not a large attendance at the Theatre Royal, the majority of people preferring to enjoy a stroll in the perfect fresh night rather than be cooped up in a building listening to speechmakers. Bro. WOOD, M.H.R., presided, and after apologising for the absence of Bro Kidd, of Auckland, whose wife had been taken suddenly ill, proceeded to descant on the advantages of friendly societies, mentioning that he was the promoter of the Oddfellows' Lodge in Palmerston in 1880, and the Druids a year or two later. As showing the amount of practical" good which these institutions achieved, he pointed out that each of the local lodges dispensed about JEIOO per year in sick benefits. He advised every young man in the community to join and participate in the benefits of the Jocal friendly societies. Bishop WALLIS announced that he was the husband of a Noble Grand—a position which he could never hope to achieve to. Ho owed" "this eminence from the fact that his wife was a member of the branch of the Manchester Unity started_in Wellington for women and girl 3, and he hoped to see a similar institution shortly in Palmerston. His lordship discoursed at some length on the sentimental value of lodge membership as an incentive to sympathy, brotherliness, and kindness, a something which brought men together in the hour of adversity or trouble and give them an insight into and appreciation of one another's characters which it was impossible for them otherwise to obtain.

Mr JOHN DUTHIE, after referring to the sentimental value of Friendly Societies, and quoting figures tracing their development, said a perusal of the Government Friendly Societies Report brought prominently under notice an all important consideration underlying Friendly Societies, viz., the position of their finances. Members of Societies were naturally disposed to be hopeful, and inclined to extend greater benefits than were warranted, and it must be a cause of anxiety to many in their responsible connection with the various lodges, to find so many unable to Batisfy the Actuary On the other hand, the average accumulated funds showed an increase, Still it remained a doubtful policy for lodges to continue weak financially: a trifling additional contribution would make all tho difference, and there was so much more vitality in a lodge where the finances wore beyond question, that all should certainly aim at that position. Certain effects arising out of the Old Age Pension Act in its relation to the Societies were suggested by this report. In the first place, the Act had perhaps somewhat easpd the position in respect to the plaims of members in advanced years; but it also appeared in the mean- . time to have assisted to check the increase of membership, as he saw that this increase, which for the year 1898 was 2831, fell in 1899 to 2701; in 1900 'to 2055 ; and in 1901 to 979; or otherwise stated, the increase of 1899 was less in 1898 by 130; in 1900 by 776; and in 1901 by 1852. This check on the membership must be a source of keen regret to all sympathetic with sociil I progress, for the real strength of men was in mutual aid, and it was to this spirit that tho ago owed the development of these magnificent institutions. - The speaker ponpluded with a tribute to the lodges for the insight which they "enabled men to obtain into business, making them--keener, better, and more trustworthy citizens than it was possible for them otherwise to be.

8.0. J. McLEOD, G.M.N.G. M.C. 1.0.0. F. M.U., Auckland, speaking of the value of Societies, said that in 1901 (when the returns were last made: up) they paid in New Zealand for medical attendance and medicine £87,840, and for sick pay £48,921, and when it was remembered that the rank and file of the lodges were drawn from the working classes it would be apparent that this was a tremendous relief to charitable resources. In the Auokland district members of societies paid 50 per cent more of the hospital dues than the rest of the community. Then also they had a dispensary and medical men and salaried officers, whom they were'paying considerably over £1000 a-yenr. Bro. E. BOLD, secretary Pacific Lodge, Wellington, speaking of the economy in management, said the officers worked for the love of the thing, and he did not know any official who obtained as much as a laborer's wage. This point, he said, was brought out by the Registrar in his last report. Mr D. P. LOASBY .Greytown) said that the returns of 1902 showed £171,000 was receivee by societies in contributions, and deducting the amounts for medical attendance and benefits, there was only expended a little over £15,000 in salaries. He favoured the formulation of some scheme which would enable men who could ndt pass the doctor to participate in tho benefits of the lodges

Bro J, LAURENSON (1.0.0. F., A.C.), Palmerston North, said the Societies should endeavour to extend their usefulness, and proceeded to show that if every member of Friendly Societies contributed a penny a week, £160 a week would be raised which could go to tho founding and upkeeping of an orphanage. A voto of thanks was then passed to the visiting speakers on the motion of Bro. T. Wilson, seconded by Bro. T. Griggs. Mr W. T. Wood suitably responded on behalf of the visitors.

Subsequently the visitors were entertained at supper at Mr Youngson's by the Eseputivc,