CONCERN OF LODGES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 94, 21 March 1939, Page 2

CONCERN OF LODGES

SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME. Per Press Association. A LGivL.v.N U, Aiaich. 20. The movable conference ol ihe .uanchcsoar bn.ty 01 uildiellows was ulneiati.v opened to-day by the deputyALayor (.Air J. A. C. Allan)). Tne Auckland District Grandmaster, Bro. Bates, welcomed the Grand Muster of the order, Bro. \Y. McMillan, and deputies, remarking that it was 2(J years since the movable conference was held, in Auckland. It was proposed that the next movable conicrence be held in Nelson, the birth)).ace ol Oddfellowship, coinciding with the Centenary celebrations. Bro. McMillan commented on the social security legislation. "It is quite natural that friendly societies should t>e concerned about a scheme which is intended to give lodge members .and the public in general benelits which it has been the privilege of our order to provide only to its own members.” he .said. "In the friendly society movement we have catered only for that section of the community who have l>een able to obtain satisfactory certificates of health.” Bro. McMillan added that, so far Ministers of the Crown had not indicated irom wh.at date the doctor, chemist and hospital l>enefits would operate. nor the method of co-operation between the Social Security Department and the friendly society movement. However, members of the order might rest assured that any modus operand! introduced by the Government to be worked in co-operation with friendly societies would have the careful consideration of the directors.

Reports on sick claims showed that the actual sick claims exceeded the expected male claims bv £5648 (equal to 3 1 per cent.) and female claims by £2636 (65.6 jwr cent.). Mining lodges had lieen largely responsible for this excess. A surplus of £6559 remained for distribution, and it was decided that this amount should be made available to the Grand Secretary for additional requirements resulting from the social security legislation. The report of the Grand Trustee showed that- at December, 1938, £116.812 was held by the society on mortgage. The followimr officers have so far been (looted:—Grand Master. Bro. N. B. Bellringer (Taranaki district): Deputy Grand Master. Bro. N. .1. McKay (Hawke’s Bav): directors, Bros. W. B. Brown. P D G M. (Wellington). J. A. Ivory, P.D GAP (Ashlev). J. E Allan, F. A. Smith (Auckland) G. Wilson (Wanganui). and A. Gow. P.D.G.M. (North Canterbury).