FRIENDLY SOCIETIES CONFERENCE.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11556, 17 February 1906, Page 2

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES CONFERENCE.

A conference of Friendly Societies' delegates from the various districts and councils throughout New Zealand will be held in May next, under the auspices of the Wellington United Friendly Societies' Council. Some of the reasons for holding the conference are given in a circular which is now being distributed to the various Orders and newspapers in the colony, and are as follows: — (a.) The proposal of the Government to introduce a Friendly Societies' Amending Bill during the coming session makes it specially desirable that a conference should pronounce on same prior to introduction. (b. ) A recent amendment to the Old Age Pensions Act parmits the penalisation of members of Friendly Societies insomuch as benefits received from Societies may be reckoned as a " set-off" against the amount; granted as Old Age Pensions. This is an urgent matter requiring combined and immediate attention. (c. ) It is considered that the time has now arrived for the federation of the various Orders throughout New Zealand by means of, — 1. The division of the colony into districts for the election of Friendly Societies' Councils to be registered under the new Friendly Societies' Act. 2. The periodical holding of a conference of delegates to discuss matters dealing with legislation and other proposals conducive to the interests of Friendly Societies generally, 3. The election of a Colonial Executive to act as vigilance committee during the intervals of the aloresaid conference.