SOCIAL SECURITY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 85, 12 April 1939, Page 6

SOCIAL SECURITY

"NOTHING TO FEAR"

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

WANGANUI, April 11

The opinion that by altering their organisations to meet changing social conditions the friendly societies of New Zealand had nothing to fear from the Social Security scheme, was expressed by Bro. F. Rudkin, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. Independent Order of Oddfellows, at a gathering in Aramoho tonight.

"I wish to emphasise that as far as I have seen during my tour of th# South Island, and from what I have seen in the North Island, the 1.0.0. F. does not admit that the day of friendly societies has passed," said Mr. Rudkin. During the past three years a lot has been said about the doom of friendly societies and a number of lodges have developed a fear complex. X)ur order, however, does not take that attitude, and I, personally, do not believe there is any truth in it. Records of the friendly societies go too far back into Anglo-Saxon democracy to be affected by any. change in the social system. We have adjusted ourselves to meet changing conditions in the past, and we can dr so again, and move forward.

"In spite of talk of the adverse effect of the Social Security Act on friendly societies, the membership of the 1.0.0. F. in 1937 showed a net gain over all losses of 800; in 1938 the membership showed a net gain of 590, bringing thje total membership up to 19,506."

Mr. Rudkin said that on January 1, 1901. after a big maritime strike and economic depression, the number of 1.0.0. F. lodges had fallen to 36, with a total membership of 2637; in the 38 years which had elapsed since the number of lodges had been increased to 237 and the membership to 19,506.

"We should maintain our progress in the future, even if *t iscnot at the same rate," he added.