FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' PART

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23150, 23 September 1938, Page 10

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' PART

Precise information as to their position under the Government's social security scheme has been sought for months by the friendly societies but so far they have not obtained much satisfaction. The assurances given by the Prime Minister in his policy speech at Wellington last night had a familiar sound but, as previously, they lacked definition. Mr. Savage spoke of co-operation with friendly societies in the extension of their membership and arrangements for the utilisation of their dispensaries and other existing machinery in the practical administration of social security benefits. Mr. Nash made practically the same statement four weeks ago, talking largely of co-operation but being sparing of details. The societies have already expressed doubt as to the value of the Governrnent's offer to permit members to receive (subject to a means test) benefits under both their own and the State scheme, considering that as the State contributions are compulsory, membership of the societies would havo to be relinquished. Many members could not afford to subscribe to both systems. Mr. Savage's talk of extending the societies' membership must therefore sound hollow to members who fear that the continued existence of their societies is jeopardised by the Government's scheme. In spite of the Prime Minister's wheedling, moreover, they feel that the basis of their dispensaries' existence is likely to be undermined by the making of like arrangements with chemists to those held out to them. These arrangements are still in the air as are those concerning the societies' part in administering the State scheme. What they will undertake, and' how they will be reimbursed, if at all, has yet to be decided. All that Mr. Nash says is that he "recognises" they "should be." adequately paid for any service. The friendly societies have a great and honourable record of service and it is due to them lhat the Government should resolve their doubts by being explicit*