Labour Government and Friendly Societies

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 236, 6 October 1938, Page 13

Labour Government and Friendly Societies

(To the Editor.) Sir, —May I have the privilege of replying to the writer of the Jotter appearing in your issue of Tuesday last under tho above head in order to correct stime of the figures quoted. It is difficult to understand that anyone cla)m:ng to be a member of a lodge for a period of 40 years should not have made himself conversant with the actual benefits for which he was paying. For instance, he says that no sick pay was leceived by a member who is taken ill during the first six months of membership. The sickness benefits are as follow:Male members (benefits in brief): Doctors and dispensary attendance. Sick benefit: From date of, and within 2G weeks of initiation, 10s per week for 52 weeks; 7s per week for remainder of illness. After 26 weeks’ membership have elapsed, without drawing sick pay, £1 per week for first six months’ illness; 10s per week for second six months 7 s illness; 7s per week for remainder of illness. Death benefit: Immediately after initiation, £ls. After 13 weeks, £3O; after 26 weeks, £7O; after 39 weeks, £BS; after 52 weeks, £l2O. Married members also receive £lO on death of wife, if registered. Maternity bonus: A bonus of £6 is now payable to members whose incomes do not exceed £3OO per annum, provided doctor or registered nurse was engaged. Further, in regard to hospital benefits, these include all major operations and the contribution is not 30s per annum, as stated by your correspondent, but as follow:—Benefits: For members, their wives and families up to the age of 16 years, deceased members’ widows, and their children up to the above age. Free hospital benefits in Palmerston North Public Hospital, including X-ray and ambulance while inmates. All outpatient treatment must be paid for by members. Contributions: (Single female members, married and widowed female members without children, 12s per annum. The latter with children, ISs per annum. Male members 20s per annum. A member must be affiliated six months bofore entitled to receive any benefits. Special rules governing members living outside hospital district and above benefits do not apply to these members. I would draw your correspondent’s attention to the fact that he has omitted to mention the death benefits paid by his lodge. I would also remind him that the social security scheme does not provide death benefits. I frankly admit and agree with my friend when he says as a member of 40 years’ standing in the Druids’ Lodge ho should know what he is writing about. I would suggest a little closer attention to the details of the Labour Government's scheme might lead to a better understanding of the friendly society movement than he has gained during his long membership.—l am, etc., ARCH DRUID.