FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10621, 17 March 1896, Page 6

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —I do not think I shall be taking upon myself too much to thank you, on behalf of all thinking members of friendly societies, for your very able loader this morning on the relation of contributions paid to benefits promised. This is a subject which is gradually forcing its way to the front in what I would term the politics of friendly societies. It will noon have to be tackled—if not by the societies themselves, then by parliamentary legislation. My opinion is that all societies should he compelled to adopt a uniform scale, such ecaie to be certified by actuaries appointed by Government and the various societies fcbat it would be equal to banefifcs promised ; and any society refusing to adopt such scale (or higher at option) would have its certificate of registration cancelled, and the society dissolved. It does stem strange to me that year after year the registrar should call attention to tbe fact that certain sncifctie<! are practically insolvent, and that such societies should be allowed to carry on busiuews. If the registrar is right, then these societies are almost if not quite guilty of obtaining members under false prefcwces, I know that oa the question of Government interference many leading members of friendly sosieties hold strong views, saying that friendly societies should be allowed to work oai their own destiny. So I say, but wibh this proviso, that they shall be Zl-carat by hariug the Government stamp that they are sctuarily solvent. That is about as far as I would go with Government interference, as it is called. Many drastic reforms are required in the constitution and general management of friendly (societies. There are still in our midst societies who stick to one grade of contribution for all ages. This in, I think, opposed to all true principles of life insurance. The scale should be graduated and compulsory.

There are many other questions of vHal importance to friendly societies which ib would be well to have discussed at a united couference of delegates from all societies. lam glad to say that soch a conference is likely to be held by all lodges in the Wellington distriot at an early date. I would suggest tbe same be done here. It could also be done in Canterbury, Auckland, and other places, and from thesa local conferences a colonial gathering might be arranged, at which a common platform could be adopted.

I am sorry that I hove to agree with you that many of onr members never trouble themselves about the higher branches, aa it were, of friendly society education. So long as their own lodge is apparently doing well they are satisfied to let things jog as they are. It often strikes me that the general public, also the Government, do not think or realise what an important factor friendly societies are ill our social and political economy, i'or instance, how many moro thousands of pounds would have to be dispensed in charity wore it not for the opportunity given hy means of our i'riendly societies for men to make provision for sickness and death. Also, it is not generally known outaide friendly societies what large sums of money are annually collected by lodges in aid of widows and families of distressed or deceased brethren; this being in addition to the fixed sums allowed by their rules, I even go tho length of saying that moneys so rsised should bs met by a supplement from the Government oc locul charitable or benevolent beard, as it means that the people bo assisted will not require to ask for aid from the State.

I trust, Sir, that your leader of this morning is only tho forerunner of many tuch ab!e articles, so that they may arouse the attention of our leaders in friendly society matters and thus lead to reforms being effected. —I am, &0., Dunedin, March 16. P.D.G.P., U.A.O.D.

—At meetings of the British Cabinet no official record-.of any. kiud is kecfc of its proceedings, .