SOCIAL SECURITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23161, 6 October 1938, Page 17

SOCIAL SECURITY

QUESTIONS TO MINISTER FRIENDLY SOCIETY MEMBERS REQUEST TO DEFINE BENEFITS [BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] ; NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday Friendly society members waited on the Minister in Charge of Friendly Societies, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, at Inglewood to-day to inquire into the effect of the Social Security 'Act upon their institutions. The Minister claimed that social security would not affect the friendly societies detrimentally.

Mr. Lee Martin was asked to define exactly how lodges would benefit under the social, security scheme. He refused to answer the question, and stated that if lodge members wanted information thpy would have to get it from the friendly society delegates who met Ministers of the Crown on the question. In reply to a statement that societies would be - unable to obtain members, the Minister said lodges had become a commercial undertaking. Members joined for what they could get out of them. There was no possibility of friendly societies taking in all classes of people., They catered only for firstclass risks.| The Government scheme would embrace everybody. The attitude taken up by certain sections of the friendly societies in New Zealand was exactly the same as the opposition to the insurance scheme in Britain. There the friendly societies had benefited. " We ar,e not interfering with the lodges, but merely providing what lodges cannot provide," stated the Minister; • A Questioner: Is it. right" for you or any other Labour candidate to say that lodges will benefit? The Minister: Absolutely.'Why should I not? ' /, The Questioner: You do not even know what the benefits will be. V The Minister: You can hold that view if you like. When you get the information from your lodge delegates you will be satisfied: ' / ' *

MANCHESTER UNITY PAMPHLET REASON FOR PUBLICATION DELAY [by telegraph—ows correspondent] NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday It is the intention of the Manchester Unity Independent Ordef pf Oddfellows to prepare a pamphlet setting out the pertinent sections of the Social Security Act as they,affect lodges and their members. A suggestion that the pamphlets are being purposely held back until after the election for political reasons was refuted at New Plymouth by Mr. N. B. Bellringer, deputy-grand master of the order in New Zealand. An authoritative copy of the Act was not received until September 28, he said. It required close study to prevent, as - far** as possible, erroneous interpretation that would, be most difficult to correct if acted upon as a direction. "Friendly society members are aware that the discussion of politics in lodges "is Btrictly prohibited," Mr. Bellringer said. "The executive Has no intention of issuing the pamphlet to influence opinion for election, purposes." \ The disturbed atmosphere of politics was not the best in which to compile and reasonably consider such information. However, the pamphlet would be ready for printing and distribution' to members as soon 'as the .position had been determined and«. it was decided whether the Act was to operate or riot. This question was in the hands ctf the people, not of the friendly societies.