FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12555, 22 April 1904, Page 3

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' CONFERENCE.

[MY TKLEURAT'jr, —PRESS ASSOCIATION'.]

Wi:ixi.\<;tov. Thursday. The Friendly Societies' Conference, which resumed to-day, approved the short amending Bill introduced by the Premier Inst session and withdrawn by request pending consideration by the societies. The Hill provides that before diverting surpluses of over 5 per cent, of the benefit funds on total capital and money property belonging to such funds, the branches must consult the district lodges and the district governing bodies must consult their brandies.

An amendment of the Stamp Act was suggested, in the direction of providing that cheques drawn by friendly societies may be used tor general purposes without imposition of duty. The conference saw no need at present for the proposed Royal Commission to inquire into matters relating to 'friendly societies generally. It was resolved to request the Government to allow the free use of the mineral baths at the Government Sanatorium to friendly society members being treated there at the expense of the societies. It was decided that the future representation at the conference be one delegate from each council, one from each registered society, and an extra delegate for each complete thousand members of any society. The next conference is to be held at Christchurch three years hence.

[IIV TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Thursday. In discussing an amendment to the "proof of death" clause, in the Friendly Societies Act, at the Friendly Societies' Conference, one of the members, Brother Bold, told of the difficulties which cropped up from time to time in obtaining a death certificate, which should enable the next of kin to obtain the death allowance. He had known of a mine accident where, all traces of the body had been lost, and as there was nothing to hold an'inquest on the authorities would not issue the death certificate. Weeks went by until by chance a man discovered the boot with the foot of the unfortunate man in it. Identification was even then only proved absolutely by the fact that the foot was deformed, and the boot was in consequence one of particular construction. An addition tr section 5 of the Act to meet such cases is recommended by. the conference..