FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Evening Post, Volume XLVII, Issue 58, 9 March 1894, Page 4

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

/ TO THE EDITOR. Sir — The recent meeting of the Hibernian Catholic Benefit Society calls for more than a passing notice from those who are interested in friendly society work. That a society whioh is associated with a most Conservative Church should throw its meeting open, indicates a liberality of spirit which might well be shown by other friendly societies. It is unfortunate, "however, that no Btepß of any importance were taken to improve the position of the Order financially. In the dismal Parliamentary paper prepared on the motion of Mr. Fish, the K.A.C.B.S. shows a deficiency of no less than £13 4s per member. And the only remedy suggested for this deplorable oondition was the centralising of the oiok fund and a higher rate of interest in the Post Office Savings Bank. It is most amazing that friendly societies will not face their insolvent condition in the only true way, and that is by increased onntributons. Here we hava tho valuer showing year after year the insolvent condition of the Lodgos, and yet his voice is as one crying in the wilderness. Oh for the pen of a ready writer — such Sir, as you used in a recent article on, suicidos ; then would I turn the minus symbol of _ the actuary into its true meaning, viz., sorrow and suffering for widows and orphans. There is evangelical work to bo_ done in connection with benefit sooieties — just as teal, just as needful, aye, and just as religious, as any whioh cries aloud at the street corner. And if the leaders of the friendly sooieties' movement, the secretaries and permanent officers, would only preaoh increased contributions to members instead of gotting up heroic deputations to Ministers, they would show a just recognition of their responsibilities. Fam, &c,