SOCIAL SECURITY

Evening Star, Issue 23113, 12 November 1938, Page 16

SOCIAL SECURITY

LINK WITH FRIENDLY SOCIETIES FORECAST OF JOINT METHODS [Special to tub ‘ Star.’] .... WELLINGTON, November 12. , Pointing out that the recent election has endorsed the Social Security the grand secretary of the North Island Druids’ organisation, one of the largest of the- friendly society groups in the; Dominion, has communicated with all members advising them pot to act precipitately, but to wait with confidence until the full scheme is arranged. ■ ■ The grand secretary, Mr J. Laughton, makes a comparison between social security benefits and those already provided by the order, and indicates that to the extent that the new legislation duplicates a friendly society benefit there can be an adjustment,of fees. It is shown that the order pays sick benefit from the date of incapacity, whereas the Social Security _ Act provides for payment on the eighth day of illness.- A friendly society member, it is pointed out, may draw the two sick payments so long as the total does not exceed £5 per week. “ Brethren are aware,” continues the official explanation, “that the increase in taxation will be 4d in the £ above the amount they are at present paying, and this will be offset somewnat owing to, the fact that lodge dues will be reduced by the exclusion of payment to the' lodge of medical,' hospital, and chemist levies.”

The communication reminds members that there is no provision in the Act, except in the case of miners, for funeral insurance, which in the case of the Druids amounts to £l2O or £l3O for a member and £lO in respect to his wife. Nor are there benevolent benefits finder social security. Provision will be made, it is stated, whereby members of friendly societies who are entitled to receive the sickness benefit under the social security scheme will receive payment through the medium of their lodge, in addition to their lodge sick pay. From official quarters it has been ascertained that the commissioners who will ho the principal administrators of the new scheme are likely to be appointed within a week, and that the next step to be taken by the Minister who will be charged with the administration of social security is to consult the friendly societies through their national council, so that the methods of co-operation between friendly societies and the Government officials can be formulated.