FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' FINANCIAL POSITION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 92, 20 April 1893, Page 9

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' FINANCIAL POSITION.

DEPUTATION TO SIR PATRICK BUCKLEY.

This morning, at ben o'clock, a deputation, consisting of members of the Friendly Societies' Conference in Auckland, waibed on Sir Patrick Buckley, at the Governmenb buildings, in reference to certain statements mado ab Wellington by Air Mason, Registrar of Friendly Societies, in reference to the financial position of certain societies, and asking that an inquiry ba held. The deputation was introduced to the Minister by Mr F. Lawry, M.H.R., and consisted of the following representatives : H. T. Garrabb (Forestore), W. Beehan (H.A.C.8.5.), F. 0. Massey (N.1.0.F.), J. G. Carr (Rechabites), John Clark (Oddfellows), and J. T. iB. Dines (N.1.0.F.).

It will ba remembered thab at the end of March last a deputation from the American Oddfellows waited on the Minister of Education ab Wellington, and pointed out thab a number of the Friendly Societies in the colony had adopted a scale of fees which was inadequate bo provide bha benefits offered, and urging bhab bho Governmenb should nob registerany fresh Societies whose ratos wero found by the Actuary to be insufficient, and that bhe societies already registered should bo notified that whero their financial unsoundness had boon established by acbuarial investigation, they must within a certain time place themselves on a sound financial footing. In his reply Mr Mason, tho Registrar, said that many of the Friendly Societies were financially unsound, but thab of bhe deputation was perfectly' sound. One of the deptuation said that tlio A.O.F. was insolvent to bhe extent of £6 per member, and bhat the Protestant Alliance and the Hibernians were unsound.

This morning Mr EL T. Garrabb acbed as spokesman, and spoke in supporb of bhe inquiry. He complained of Mr Mason's partial treabmenb bo Friendly Societies heie, and stated that bhe officers were being constantly hamperedandharrassed to supply old data, which was really useless. * Mr Garrabb spoke aboub tha advanbages of Friendly Sociebies, and bub for their existence urged bhab bhero would be an increase in bhe charitable aid of bhe colony. Mr Garratt said thab a lebter had beon sent to tho Colonial Secretary requesting him to. grant an inquiry of an exhaustive nature inbo tho statements o£ insolvency. The Friendly Conference Society in Auckland represented 5,000 members, and ib was due to the Societies and also to Mr Mason thab an inquiry should be held withoub delay. Mr Garratb bhen road cerbain letters andwent into statements to show the necessity of an inquiry. Mr Garratb said that Mr Mason was untib for his position. In reply to a question by Sir Patrick Buckley, Mr Garratt said that the deputation was a fair representation of Auckland societies. Sir Patrick Buckley : Does the Registrar personally make a specific charge againsb any socieby you represent.?^ Mr Garrebt: No, theywished an inquiry on the general ground of incompetence. Sir Patrick Buckley : That is hardly_air to an official. A specific charge should be made.

Sir Patrick Buckley said thab thedepartmonb was under the controlof tho treasurer, and thoy ought bo toimally put ___ ma ttor bofore him. He asked the deputation to pub bheir views in writing and he (Sir Pabrick) would do his besbbo have the inquiry instituted, andgetibasimpartial a8 possible. He endorsed all thab Mr Garratb had said aboub bhe advantages 0 f Friendly Societies. His own experience was thab in no parTofbhe world were societies on such a sound footing as in this colony. He would be glud to help the depubabion in every way possible Messrs Dines nntL-Beohan mado explanations in 'reierencuy'to the funds ot their societies. Mr Garratb read correspondence containing suggestions for amendment of the Friendly Societies Act. Sir Patrick Buckley said the suggestions should be sent to tho treasurer with the letter asking for the inquiry. The deputation thanked the Minister and withdrew,