FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6791, 3 March 1890, Page 2

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

A Chat With Mr Mason.

[By ottb Special Repobtkb.] Mcßfc members of Friendly Societies who hare risen to high positions in their respective Orders, and many who have not,, must know, the tall form, keen eyes, and kind face of Mr Edmund Mason, the Eegi6trar of Friendly Societies for the Colony. It was this gentleman whom L had the pleasure of meeting thia morning, and gathering from him a few of the impressions that he has formed of the progress of the Friendly Societies in. Canterbury generally. It is . evident after a few minutes' conversation that Mr Mason is an enthusiast, and that he by no means takes a perfunctory view of his work. He sees clearly the good that can. be accomplished by co-operation and, brotherhood such as the Friendly Societies, make the basis of their operations, and he sees also the necessity for this work being: carried on upon a souad financial basis. FINANCIAL POSITION. In reply to my question as to the finan- | cial position of the Societies generally,. Mr Mason said: — "It has been from time to time pointed out in the actuarial reports that some of the Societies are more or less unsound ; but I find there is an improvement being gradually worked in this respect. I believe it is one of those matters in which persuasion is better than compulsion. There is no regulation as tounsoundness to prevent any Society from, being registered, as it is considered far better to bring them all under the advantages which registration gives, and then tru3t to the good sense of the members, whose eyes would be opened to see the folly of continuing operations upon an unsouud basis, to remedy the mistake themselves. I have uo later statistics ' than, thoso given in the last annual report published some months ago; but I intend to give a number of interesting statistics at my lecture. "My earnest wish is to see," continued Mr Mason, " before many years pats, the Friendly Societies of Now Zealand at least equal relatively to those of any Australasian Colony, both in point of numbers and financial position. It is very encouraging to hear from my interview with several representatives of the Societies here, that not only have their numbers greatly increased of late, but that there is j also 11 rapidly growing determination j among all orders to raise the scale of 1 oon- : tributions where necessary, and to adopt a scientific basis oc fiuance. MR MA6on's ADDHES3. "I have been requested by the SocietiesI to give a public address in Christchurch, j the date of which will be duly announced, 1 and I hope by doing so to be anle to strengthen the hands of those who in the various Societies are advocating needful reforms. lam on my way to Dunedin to deliver an address, by invitation, to the ! JB'riendly Societies there, and 1 stopped at ! Christotiurch to make the acquaintance of ] the officers of the various Orders estab---1 lished here. There are several officers I. have not seen, and I should be glad to i meet them on my return from Dunedin." THE WORKING OF THE ACT. " The Societies in this Provincial district appear to be well satisfied with the work- ; ing of the Friendly Societies .Act, and to recognise that it has assisted them greatly in their good work; and I may add that the kindly sentimeut which they entertain towards the present llegistrar is a proof that they bear no ill-will for the | outspoken language which I have felt ; bound to use from time to time in regard to the financial position of eotne of thorn. i However strongly I have spoken, I have ! throughout expressed myself in favour of ■ persuasion puly.and.from the conversations \ I have had here, I am strengthened in my conviction that persuasion is the most • effective means for attaining the results I which all who wish well to Friendly ; Societies desire." | Mr Mason could not say certainly how • long he would be detained in Dunedin and i the other southern cities which he may ' visit en route; and, therefore, the exact ; date of his return to Chri&tchurch cannot ibe fixed. He is anxious that the officers- | whom he has not seen during his present ; visit will call on him when he returns.