FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1937, Page 20

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The second annual conference of the New Zealand United Friendly . Societies' Dispensaries was held in Wellington yesterday, delegates from all: parts of New Zealand attending. The meeting was held in camera, but at its conclusion the secretary of the executive, Mr, 1.. J. Mackersey, made a statement to "The Post."

The training of apprentices, in so far as it affected districts remote from the Pharmacy School. at Wellington, was discussed at length, he " said. A resolution approving of the Pharmacy Board's raising of the standard of examinations was passed, but at. the same time, it was decided to recommend that the standard be not made so high as to compel students to attend for any given time at a school of pharmacy. The purpose of this motion was to provide for apprentices in remote districts, without putting them to the high expense entailed in attending, schools of' pharmacy in the main centres. . ■, ' j

The new drug tariffs, as outlined in a recent circular to pharmacies in all

parts of the Dominion, came in for considerable discussion. It was found that in certain districts the new rates were being maintained by friendly society dispensaries, but several delegales expressed the view that the new tariffs would mean serious losses to pharmacies if continued indefinitely. However, they considered that they should be given > a fair trial. •.

A committee was appointed to give evidence on behalf of the friendly societies' dispensaries to the investigation committee set up by the Department of Health in regard to the question of national health insurance for New Zealand. Delegates stated that their respective societies were willing to co-operate'wholeheartedly with the Government in this proposal.

It was pointed out that the operation of the Shops and Offices Award (Chemists' Section) in its present form, would prevent the continued employment of certain female assistants who had not been apprenticed, but may have given service over long periods. It was considered that the award should provide for exemptions, for workers so employed up to the time of the award coming into operation. That would mean that no new assistants would be taken on unapprenticed, but those who were already working, and who in many cases were greatly experienced, would be allowed to remain. It was, however, stated that there were only a few isolated cases of that type.

The conference stressed the value of unity, and the hope was expressed that friendly society dispensaries throughout the Dominion would keep in close touch with one another, and generally to operate for the benefit of the friendly societies' movement as a whole.

It was decided to hold next year's conference also at Wellington, at a date to be arranged. ,