REV. CLYDE CARR AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21155, 30 September 1938, Page 7

REV. CLYDE CARR AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

To the Editor of “ The Timaru Herald " Sir,—l notice that Mr Carr Is trying to persuade the electors that the Friendly Societies in New Zealand are satisfied with the Government Social Security Scheme. If such is the case, it is remarkable to read the following resolution (in “The Timaru Herald” of September 26th), carried by such an authority on the subject as the Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows Otago District, reading: “That this meeting of delegates to the half-yearly meeting of Otago District M.U.1.0.0.F. records its firm conviction that the Social Security Act in its present form will have the effect of so seriously impeding the work of Friendly Societies as to threaten their extinction. Believing that the interests of our Dominion will be best served by fostering the Friendly Society movement, the meeting deplores the absence of provision in the Act for the encouragement of societies and the use of them in servicing the scheme.” Again, in “The Timaru Herald” of September 29th, comes further strong protest, this time from the annual meeting of the United Otago District of the Ancient Order of Foresters, held at Invercargill (which was carried) reading: “That this meeting of delegates representing 5621 members of the United Otago District of the Ancient Order of Foresters views with considerable alarm some of the proposals of the Government in reference to its national health scheme, as we consider that there is grave danger of the stability and usefulness of friendly societies being jeopardised if the interests of friendly societies are not safeguarded, and we desire to remind the Government of the premise made by the Hon. P. Fraser and the Hon. W. Lee Martin to representatives of the friendly societies and ask that they be honoured.” The officials of these Orders are people who have made years of study of the subject on which they speak, and the efficiency and success of their organisations is beyond dispute. They are the people who know what they are talking about, and can speak with authority. Further comment on the opinion of such a large proportion of friendly societies to the Social Security scheme is unnecessary. The resolutions speak for themselves. —I am, etc., SECURITY. Timaru, September 29.