THE OTHER SIDE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 288, 29 August 1908, Page 6

THE OTHER SIDE.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' BILL. I DEPUTATION TO THE PRIME MINISTER. Another largo deputation of friendly societies interviewed tho Primo Minister last evening, regarding tlio friendly Societies Bill. Tho deputation comprised members of Parliament and representatives of societies. Mr. v Tanner, M.P., introduced tho deputation. Mr. Leigh 'Hunt said that seven orders were present, representing directly 33,213 .members of societies. Indirectly, 40,000 or 60,000 wcro represented. Tho Bill had been found on tho wliolo very satisfactory, and a groat improvement on tho old ono. A largo number of tho 1906 conference remits had been incorporated. They wished also to mako the point that the viows of that conference should not bo nullified by tho representations of anj| one ordor that might not havo agreed with its recommendations. Tho conference was representative of tho Dominion, and had boon assisted by tho Government. Section 15 of tho new Bill (regarding tho formation of new branches) they not only agreed with but mi it went hardly far enough, lhoy desired to havo a remit added, which the confererico had passed by 30 to 8. Tho remit laid it down that no society bo allowed to carry on business without an adequate scale of contributions commensurate with benefits received, and which should not disturb the contributions of existing members, but should bo brought into existence on a stated date, and should .apply to all joining after that date. A recent deputation had represented to the Prime Minister that, tho conference had never intended any scheme of adequate contributions to apply to existing societies, but there could bo no doubt at all about this. They only wanted that all so-, cioties should be thoroughly financial in tho future. _ They desired it to go abroad that any society registered under the Now Zealand Act would be sbund, and could bo joined without foar. They wero thoroughly m accord with Clause 16. Mr. Hunt proceeded to deal with' other matters. The deputation expected that tho Government intended to bear tho cost of the new system of audit under the Bill. Instead of a cash distribution of surpluses they suggested that tho money bo used to increase tho sick and funeral benefit funds, providing for tho future in old age provisions, giving aids to branches, etc. It was thought also that branches should not spend money over new buildings unless roceiving authorisation from tho governing body. A number of machinery amendments wero also submitted, one being that savings bank deposits might bo operated upon by cheque.' This would mean that largo sums would bo transferred to the savings bank and interest would bo obtained upon those sums. A set of model rules was suggested, on tho principle obtaining under tho Companies Act. In conclusion it was hoped a great effort would bo made to pass the Friendly Societies Bill into law this session '• '

In the course of further remarks it was pointed out that tho 1906 conference was thoroughly representative, and its decisions should take precedence over any other communications that might be made. Mr. Kershaw showed how important it was that all new entrants to lodges should be called upon to pay up to the standard contribution. Expressions of thanks were conveyed .to'tho Premior for having met the deputation. The Prime Minister said ho was glad to hear tho details submitted. All of the re-' marks would bo put before tho Select Committee, and tho latter would be prepared to go into them. . He did not desire to go into the details of the Bill now, since it was before a Select Comirittee. Tho Druids bad made their representations, and since then,ho had received communications on tho samo lines as those before him now. ;He had promised the_ conference 1 that cft'eci would be given to its deliberations. Clauses 15 and 16 had been omitted from tho first Bill circulated ; they had then been put in another Bill and circulated, and again representations had been made that they . be omitted once more. Up to tho present only tho one socioty had taken exception. Probably provision would be mado for both sides. Regarding tho proposal to operate on the savings bank by cheques he would like to obtain full information of the , success of the practice in Melbourne. There they had large centres of population, and that wouldhavo a bearing on the question. The concession would have to extend to branches as well as to centresj and lie would point out that there were 1201) tranches of tho savings bank, which would involve a large amount of work, since provision would have to bo made to pay out on tho cheques at each place.''