SOLDIERS AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3348, 15 May 1918, Page 26

SOLDIERS AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

\ SEVERE DRAIN ON FUNDS. "WELLINGTON,. May 6. ', At a gathering of Druids to-night to j welcome several soldier members who have I returned from the front, the Arch Druid i referred to the heavy liability with which j Druid lodges were faoed on account of the ! men at the front. He thought the Govern- ! ment should come to their assistance and i pay the contributions and sick pay of soldiers. The Druids had made levies on members to meet the contributions of members at the front, but, with rthe calling up of the Second Division, the number of contributors would, decrease and the liabilities . increase. ! In responding to the toast of "The. New Zealand Parliament," the Hon. Mr Myers said the Government had rnade an attempt to recognise its responsibilities regarding soldiers by paying half the insurance He maintained that provision had been mado for all soldiers incapacitated or partially incapacitated from taking their place- in the industrial life of the community. Ha would like to have the i of those who had not received this assistance from the Government. He asked them to submit the whole question to the Government, which would give_ the _ matter earnest and sympathetic consideration.