Friendly Societies Enjoying Boom

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30714, 1 April 1965, Page 11

Friendly Societies Enjoying Boom

Some friendly societies in Christchurch report fastgrowing memberships, mainly because of the medical benefits these societies now offer.

Many of the societies lost ground heavily after the introduction of Social Security payment of doctors’ fees and other medical benefits nearly 30 years ago, because the 7 s 6d a consultation allowed to the patient under the scheme was equal to the fee normally charged by doctors at that time. Fees have risen considerably since then, however, but the benefit has remained the same, and many persons, especially those- with young families, have felt the need of some insurance against accumulating doctors’ bills. The societies aim to provide this.

At least one friendly society in Christchurch pays the difference between the Social Security benefit and the total charge made by a general practitioner, the whole of the family of a member being covered for 5s a quarter paid in addition to the lodge membership fee. This society, like others, subsidises its medical benefit funds from income on its investments —in this case at the rate of about two to one on contributions. Other societies pay up to a certain maximum a visit or year. In addition, some societies have a benefit covering medical specialists’ fees, up to a certain figure per annum. There are also hospital, dental, denture, and spectacle benefits, either of fixed amounts or up to certain maximums. In some cases, the one medical insurance charge covers all benefits; in others, there are separate charges. The societies do not each provide all benefits, and they vary widely in the amount of relief given and in the medical and lodge charges. Besides the medical benefits, the societies subsidise or pay completely the funeral expenses of a mem-

ber, and give their members sick pay. Some also run life and other insurance schemes at cut rates. Some arrange discounts with retailers and tradesmen. All make a feature of social contacts among the members.

The new life brought to the societies by the renewed interest in their medical schemes has stimulated some of them to building projects. The most ambitious of these in Christchurch is the Manchester Unity office building now going up at the corner of Worcester and Manchester streets. The Druids recently completed extensions and renovations to the building they purchased a few years ago in Manchester street