THE FRIENDLY SOCIETY' CONFERENCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 May 1906, Page 4

THE FRIENDLY SOCIETY' CONFERENCE.

[BY ELECTBIC TELEGRAPH.] fPEB PBESB ASSOCIA'nON.J WELLINGTON, May 24. The Friendly Societies Conference was continued this morning. A anotion that representatives of Friendly Societies atending the Grand Lodgo or annual meetings should bo allowed free travelling passes on tho Now Zealand railways was rejected. A motion that lodges reciprocate with regard lo members refused admission to other lodges, or expelled from same, was rejected. Some discussion took place concerning tho office of Registrar of Lodges. A motion that it bo a recommendation to the Government to appoint a competent actuary to the office of Registrar was carried. It was also resolved to recommend that an actuary be attached to the Department. • : NATIONAL ANNUITIES. THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. WELLINGTON, May 24. At the Friendly Societies' Conference on the motion of Bro. Larnach (Otago Council), second by Bro. W. Gibb (W.A.O.D. All Nations), it was resolved "that the information required by the registrar from secretaries should be more clearly defined in the Act."

Two remits in the direction of compelling the auditing of secretaries' books by tho public auditor or by the Government auditor were withdrawn.

Bros. J. Watson (Palmerston North Council) moved "that it is desirable that all Friendly Societies in New Zealand should adopt a uniform system of book-keeping and that all lodges should have the same, form of bal-ance-sheet." The mover hoped that uniformity of the balance-sheet would be correct, if not uniformity of bookkeeping. Bro. IT. Everett (1.0.0.F.M.U. Motuokn) moved as an amendment the addition of the words "such uniform system and the form to be established by the Government Audit Department."

Urn. Everett declared that most defalcations (hat had happened occurred because the society auditors did not know their work. The amendment was negatived and the motion carried. Bro. Larnach (Ofago Council) moved that the registrar be restrained from interfering with the expenditure of the management funds of lodges. The mover said the lodges should be permitted to spend out of this fund as they thought proper so long as they did not trench upon the sick and funeral funds. The motion was rejected. Bro. Larnach moved on behalf of the Otago C cil that the secretaries be allowed discretion to receive contributions outside of Lodge rooms, and "it other than Lodge nights. The motion, was carried.

Bro. U. W. Simpson (W.A.0.1). Canterbury Grand Lodue), moved to the effect that the Act be amended so that the annual returns made by the Lodges to the registrar be accepted as made up for the financial (as well as ihe calender) vear. Lost on (lie voi-

A m0t,,,,, was carried urging that ">'-mbor.s of Friendly Societies should i"'l be penalised under the Old \„,. Bo.mons Act by virtue of drawing sick or other pay from their Society.'

A motion arguing that the moneys "1 Hie sick and funeral funds invest- '■[' "' property be exempt, ~,,„, „„„„•. eipal taxes was negatived. .'" ""' ;ifl ">- '" consideration was K>ven to a letter from the Premier „n the subject of annual annuities. lire. Salek (Wanganui) said lie «."»'d like to know why Friendly Socjeties should be offered a refund and '"'•'led into charitable institutions. J hey were independent in every way. and if they accepted anything'at, a 'ii they would be amenable to the Government. Other societies encouraged thrift. Insurance companies did s" by insuring for a certain amount at a certain age, and he would like to know whether the Government woulddare to make a similar offer to such institutions. Friendly Societies, which consisted of men who had bound themselves together for mutual help, had never asked the Government for monetary assistance, and ho failed to see why they should be offered a sliding scale of refund. Friendly Societies wanted no assistance from the I Government or any other body in the I colony.

Bio. Full (Hawkes Bay) felt thai ' ili-' Conference should 'in something more than ]i;iss resolutions rejecting proposals on the ground that they COllld Hot aCCept help from tllO Government. Bro. Everett objected to cavalierly treat the proposals. The application ni this kclicino would enable them to take in tim in linn, whom under the present circumstances the Societies had to reject. Bro. Harney (Otago) was ot opinion that the Premier's idea was to encourage thrift. Bro. jMoffat hoped the scheme would receive every consideration. After furl her discussion, Bro. Leasby moved an amendment, which was carried, expressing the view that before a decided opinion could be expressed on the scheme, a Bill authorising refunds to Friendly Societies should be put before the Societies. Bro. Larnach moved two remits of the Otago Council-(J) "That representatives of all Friendly Societies attending Grand Lodge meetings or the annual meetings should bo allowed a free travelling pass on the New Zealand railways upon the production of a certificate of appointment under the seal of their respective Lodges or Order; and (2) that Friendly Society members being ordered a change of air by a medical officer should he granted a concession on travelling charges on production of a surgeon's certificate, countersigned by the Lodge officers."

Both motions wore rejected on tho grounds that the Societies should retain their independence. The question of ii Colonial Executive body was brought up again by Bro. W. Jesscn (Wellington), who moved that a Colonial Council should be appointed consisting of one delegate for every 500 members of each Order, such Council to watch over the general interests of Friendly Societies and to convene a tri-ennial conference of Friendly Societies on a somewhat similar basis to that of the present conference. Tho mover said this differed from the previous resolution, which proposed registration. Ho urged the need of a united colonial body. Tho motion was negatived.