FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 49, 26 August 1938, Page 10

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

MOyEMENT'S FUTURE

LETTER FROM MR. NASH

The Government's social security proposals were the main subject discussed at the annual conference of the Dominion, Council of Friendly Societies! held in Wellington this week. Discus- j sions were held with the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash), who is in charge of the Social Security Bill, the Minister of Health (the Hon. P. Fraser), and the Minister in charge of friendly societies (the Hon. W. Lee Martin). Yesterday a letter was re-| ceived from the Minister of Finance setting out the provisional arrangements, which might affect the friendly societies in the administration of the social security proposals, and this, together with a report of other matters dealt with by the council at its conference, was made available today. EIGHT POINTS. Mr. Nash in his letter draws attention to the following eight points:—• 1. In accordance with Clause 47 (a) of the Bill sickness benefits payable to members of friendly societies will not affect the right of those members to receive full sickness benefit from the social security fund so long as their total income during sickness is not over. £5 per week. ; 2. Clause 50 (1) provides for payment through friendly societies to their members of sickness benefits payable out of the Social Security Fund. The Government will extend this provision to associate members if such a course is found to be practicable and economic. $. If practicable the Government will accept the suggestion that the machinery now available through friendly societies might be utilised for payment of sickness benefit to persons, in the household of a friendly society member and also for payment of benefits in small centres where the establishment of an office of the Department is not warranted. The Government's whole desire is to provide the most efficient, sympathetic, and economic service to the people. If necessary provision will be made in the Bill now before Parliament to empower the Government to use established or other facilities if a satisfactory procedure can be worked out. (4) At present the Government sees no reason "why medical certificates for sickness benefit under the social security scheme should not be available to friendly societies in the administration of their own sickness allowances. (5) It is recognised that societies must be adequately reimbursed the expense of any service undertaken on behalf of the Social Security Fund, and the Government will be glad to arrange consultations with the societies as to the basis of remuneration by way of capitation or otherwise. X 6) Careful consideration will be given to a request that medical examina- : tion of candidates for admission to friendly societies should be included in the range of service under medical benefits. Consultation with the medical profession will be necessary on this point, and if a satisfactory basis can be arranged provision will be made. 'fH) Funeral benefit received from a friendly society is already excluded from the definition of "income" taken into account in determining rates of benefits, and the Government will be glad to give careful consideration to a request that sickness allowances paid by friendly societies should be similarly excluded. 1.(8) In the appointment of appropriate committees in respect of health -'benefits, representatives of friendly societies who have special knowledge and experience of the problems of administration that will arise will be included. EVERY ENCOURAGEMENT. "1 think," Mr. Nash's letter continued, *that the foregoing statement covers the particular points raised at our recent conferences, but I would like to repeat my assurance that the Government is anxious to afford every encouragement to the continuation and progress of the friendly society movement. "Apart from the further discussions with your representatives, which will be necessary in the inauguration and administration of benefits under the Bill, the Government will welcome the opportunity of consultation on any subjects affecting your movement. "May I in conclusion extend to yourself Mr. W. J. Gregory and o.ther members of your movement the thanks of the Government for the spirit of co-operation which you have shown in discussion with myself and other Ministers, and also for the help given from time to time to the Government officials engaged in the preparation of the Bill." The report of the proceeding of the Dominion Council's Conference includes part of Brother Gregory's presidential address, in which reference is made to the case the friendly societies' movement placed before the Select Committee which heard evidence in regard to the Government's scheme. "The delegation received a most attentive hearing," the report states, "and were congratulated by the Select Committee that the evidence had. been most informative. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance stated that the experience of the societies had been most valuable as a guide to the Government in framing their scheme. They appreciated the manner and the spirit in wlilch the societies carry out their, work, and promised to make the fullest use of our machinery in the carrying out of the scheme. SECURITY SCHEME INEVITABLE. "In this connection," continues the report, "delegates will recognise that the modern trend indicates the inevitability of some such system coming into operation, whether we or any section of the community oppose it or not, and although some members may think it may be to the disadvantage of friendly societies, it is our duty to make the fullest investigation and cooperate as far as possible in an extension of our great activities, as by such co-operation we will sustain the operation of our societies to the material advantage of our members and the community. "Whatever the effect of the social security scheme is, when written into the Act, there will still be a wide field for the exercise of our benevolent and social activities, and there should be no reason why our societies should not continue to be an influence of good in the betterment of humanity. "In conclusion, Bro. Gregory expressed his sincere thanks to all the orders and brethren who had cheerfully given much time and thought in dealing with the affairs of the council and the organising and collating vt information. The

deferring of the annual meeting had enabled an opportunity to give the proposed Bill careful consideration and in discussing the measure he felt confident that their decisions would rest on sound foundations." The report adds that the cosmopolitan nature of the friendly societies' movement was strikingly illustrated in the discussion that took place on the Bill after the president's address. Those present were truly representative of all classes of the community, and "the approach to the question was characterised by a restraint and consideration peculiar to the movement in its emphasis—no class, no creed, no politics. Still, in the speeches of delegates was clearly evidenced no supine submission unless and until it was clearly shown that the proposals were sound and within the capacity of the people to "sustain. Marked differences of opinion arose as to the extent the council had committed its support, especially in relation to evidence before the Investigation Committee in 1936. That evidence was directed in anticipation of a scheme similar to the British Act—and since adopted by Australia. Both these schemes present a reciprocal basis of transfer. Many eulo- | gistic references were made to the services rendered by the medical profession in their capacity as lodge surgeons."

Finally, it was resolved that the members of the executive, with the addition of Bro. McNabb, who met the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Health, and the Minister in charge of friendly societies on Monday, be empowered to finalise the matters raised in the discussion with the Ministers.