FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20322, 2 February 1928, Page 3

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

GOVERNMENT COMPETITION. SOCIETIES HOLD THEIR OWN. Some years ago, when the National Provident Fund was getting on its feet, there were those in New Zealand who said it ■would become a formidable rival to the friendly societies, and that with its substantial backing, the day of the societies and like bodies would terminate before many years had passed. With the lapse of years the idea seems to have been dissipated. The strength of the friendly societies may be ascertained from the returns laid before the House of Representatives every session of Parliament by the Minister in Charge of Friendly Societies. The figures for the year ended December, 1926, show that in that year the membership of the friendly societies increased from 91,353 to 94,467, or a gain of 3114. The figures for the Otago district show that the societies are all in a strong position, both in membership and in finance. As an example, there is one Court of Foresters—Court Pride of the Leith—which in 1926 had a membership of 792, while last year the number went up to 833. In another society there is the Loyal Hand ad Heart Lodge, the membership of which was 705 in 1926, and 721 in 1927. Speaking yesterday to a Daily Times reporter, tne secretary of a friendly society remarked; ‘‘The relations between the National Provident Fund Board and the friendly societies have all along been of a cordial nature, and both bodies work together in harmony. The granting of the maternity allowance by the board to members of approeved friendly societies entitled to the allowance, has been greatly appreciated by the societies. This is a free grant to friendly society members, and the allowances run into large figures annually. The operations of the National Provident Fund have not been detrimental to the work carried out by the friendly societies. In regard to the membership of friendly societies, the returns show that for the year 1926, 9471 members, were initiated, while the large number of 5577 was struck off for arrears. This continued loss to the societies is always a problem waiting solution by the officers of the various societies, and the shortsightedness of the defaulting members is to he deplored, as the loss is theirs entirely. In spite of the loss the friendly societies continue to increase in membership,” The National Provident Fund is also allowing signs of growth, and of increasing activity. Those facts, briefly stated, indicate that a large mass of our people are thrifty and desire to provide for the later years of life. It is noteworthy that in the southern end of the Dominion this is especially so ; the evidence is in the Government returns.