NOTHING TO FEAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23319, 12 April 1939, Page 13

NOTHING TO FEAR

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME [BY TELEGRAPH —rttESS association] WANGAXUI, Tuesday , The opinion that by altering their organisations to meet the changing social conditions the friendly societies had nothing to fear from, the social security scheme was expressed by Mr. George F. Rudkin, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand Independent Order of Oddfellows, a.t a gathering at Aramoho to-night. "I wish to emphasise that as far as I have seen during my tour of the South Island, and from what I have seen in the North Island, the Order does not admit that the day of the friendlv societies has passed." said Mr. Rudkin. "During the past three years a lot has been said about the doom of friendly societies and a. number of lodges have developed a fear complex. "Our Order, however, does not take that, attitude, and I personally do not ] believe there is any truth in it. We have adjusted ourselves to meet changing conditions in the past, and we can do so again." The membership of the Order in 1037 showed a net gain over all losses of 800. In 1938 the membership showed si net gain of 590. bringing the total membership to 19.506. In 1901, after the big maritime strike and economic depression, the number of lodges had fallen to 36. In the 38 years which had elapsed since then, the number had inI creased to 237.