FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13927, 9 July 1917, Page 1

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

RELATIONS WITH DEPARTMENT.

A deputation' from 'the Manchester Unity, 1.0.0.F, brought under the notice of the Hon. J. A. liana:. (.Minister in Charge of Friendly Societies) on Wednesday the serious dlmcultics under which the society and its branches are labouring owing to the uncertainty existing in the Friendly Society's Depart-' mciit in connection with the proposed transfer of Mr A. T. Traversi to another department, and the appointment of-liis successor; also to impress upon the Minister the value of Mv Traversi's service to the societies, and the desirability of retaining hint in his present position without prejudice to his status in the public service.

Mr Snick, after stating what they were doing on behalf of the members at the front, said they had consolidated their funeral fund some year, ago, and the registrar supplied them with a tabic -a very good table- but they found it very complicated, and had nsko; hi in for something more simple, that could be better understood by the general,run of members. He had promised them another table, but they had not yet received it, and that greally handicapped thi'iii; also in regard to their war members' sick fund, on which table it'had thrown a good deal of light. Further, the valuations were made every five years. That of 1910 had come to hand in very reasonable lime, but, though the figures for the 1.015 valuation were all handed in in December of thai; year, tlicy had not yet come to-hand. In ionSequence, the societies did not know their actual position. They wanted the funeral fund tables and valuations. They recognised that the work of Ihe department had increased, principally because of the war and the growth of the Nalional Provident l-'tnul, but they were in it considerablt dillicully. ;md || u >y hoped the Minister would use his influence to obtain relief.

The Minister stated that he recognised what seemed to be a very dilliciill and embarrassing situation. It had been suggested that the Friend!; Societies Department should be nudged with Ihe Government Life Insurance. Mr Ilanar said that he understood Hint Hie lables referred to were held buck because Mr Traversi naturally desired that his successor should see and appro\e of them before they went out. Mr Traversi hail been transferred to the Government Life Oflice, and his successor had been appointed. That was the legai position, an/1 he could not see that it could be altered. It seemed desirable that home'thing should be done to end the .Ioei«1ldck, and he would bring (he mailer before the Cabinet and see what could be done lo disentangle tlk« position of affairs that had arisen.