The Star. MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1886.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5650, 21 June 1886, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1886.

The Rbgkstbajr oh Friendly Bo«ietim has done exceptionally good eerrice in bis last Report, by bringing into prominence an object which all Benefit Societies la common are assumed to hare steadily in view, and by] pointing out, in the plainee| possible terms, how absurd; is the baBU upon which some of these institutions continue to work. To pcoßote habits of thrift. That, we take; it, is one of the foremost purposes of a Friendly Society, and the purpose of necessity involves the securing of members who are yet young. Indeed I so obvious is the desirability of inducing young men to become members, tLafe some ' Societies now have their Juvenile Lodges, 1* which boya may be tanght to appreciate the value of pendent self-help, and sub- ! Bequently become more useful, more intelligent members and workers in the parent institution. But, assuming that jtoung men of average brain-power ' are induced to join some of these Friendly Societies, what most be their fueling on realising that their youth hae availed them aothing ; that men their seniors by twenty years, perhaps, hare been admitted on pre-

cisely the same terms, and that as a matter of fact the "equality" is entirely on one aide, the contributions of the younger members going to make up the actuarial deficiency created by the inadequate rates for the older ones. The Begistrar reminds readers of his report that " years ago, in England, Friendly Societies were established in -utter ignorance of first principles, and very many as a necessary consequence became insolvent." And although New Zealand as a country is yet ydung,-there has still been ample time for , demonstration of the fact that a like die- ; astrous ignorance ha? obtained here. Some ; •fthe Hew Zealand Friendly Societies 'have kad to go through a painful experience. These, finding their contributions in- j adequate, have manfully faced the difficulty, : and, although the recovery of lost ground . is a alow process, will in time' doubtless have the satisfaction of finding their determination crown I'd with the success that it deserves." On the other hand, there are, according to the (Registrar, Societies who have had the unsouHdness of their position plainly pointed out to them, ' aid who nevertheless go on in the old groove, heedleae apparently «f any difficulty that has no immediate threatening. Obviously when young men .are about to do that which is eminently wise, about to make some provision agaiset sickness by joining a Benefit Society, they ■kould make careful enquiry aa to th« admission scale and the rates of contribution. If they are told that "all comer* are treated alike," it will be quite as well for -them to hold back, and think it over. "The more fully the subject is ' vnderstood," our friend the Begistrar per- ' tinently remarks, "the greater will be the proportion of young men who, when decid'iag what Society they will join, will make • choice of one which is able to cay that members admitted at the higher ages contribute their fair 6hare to the common fmnd." For the enlightenment of thoe« ; who may be deeirous of knowing something ; --as to the measure of good accomplished by ' the Friendly Societies of New Zealand, it a&y be stated that the payments to tick Members during the year covered by the Jteport amounted to nearly £16,000.