CO-OPERATIVE SELF-HELP.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1937, Page 6

CO-OPERATIVE SELF-HELP.

Tlie report submitted at thc amiual mecting of the Taranaki Hospital District Friendly Societies' Association on Tliursday was distinctly satisfactory. It indicated that the friendly societies concerned have to a large extent solved thc problem of making self-help co-operative rather than selfish, and of co-ordinating voluntary efforts in that direction with those of public institutions such as hospitals. Tribute was paid to the cordiality existing between the association and the hospital authorities at New Plymouth, a cordiality which can also be found in other parts of the Dominion. Thc friendly societies are among the most effective and hnportant social agencics which Ihe Dominion possesses. They are well managed, their finances are sound and are provided entirely by their members. but in the administration of the benefits available there is an absence of red tape and consideration of personalities as well as circumstances that would be Lmpossible were the administration not widely decentralised. By allowing much discretion to each local centre, and leaving them also to provide the volunteers for carrying out the administrative duties, the personal relationships between members is maintained. Such relationships

are of much importance. They make it possible to avoid extravagance without friendly society management becoming too officious or official, and the fact that membership of the societies is growing continuously is the strongest evidence that their value to the community is recognised. Their co-operation with hospital authorities enables the lalter to make concessions to groups that would bc impracticable to mdividual patients, while the friendly society member is relieved of any suspicion of charity in receivlng such a concession. T"he Government has indicated that a place will be found for friendly society effort in any national superannuation scheme. It is well that tliis should be known, and it is to be hoped that the State scheme will bc based upon the principles oi sound finance and prudent management that have brought success to the friendly society movement.