CONTRIBUTIONS FROM LODGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10886, 29 September 1913, Page 6

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM LODGES.

INTERESTING POINT FOR DECISION. [FROM Oto Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, September 29. The question of the right of tho central federation of a number of friendly societies to require certain contributions from branches was argued in the Supreme Court, to-day. Plaintiffs were the trustees... of Court Sir Charles Napier, of Foresters Hnwkes' Bay, and the defendants the District Court of tho same Order. The questions advanced were:—Can a friendly society alter its rules so as to impose on a member or branch of the society 'the amount of benefits actually received under tho existing rules of the society ? ; (2) Can a friendly society by alteration oi' its rules require a. branch society to transfer contributions of a separate and distinct fund to another fund of the society, having objects and purposes not different in their general nature and materially different in their practical scope from tho first ■ mentioned fundP; and (8) Whether these questions are not questions affecting tho contribution of the society a.nd fundamental rights of members and branches of the societies. Tho amount involved is about £7OO. After argument the case was adjourned in order that the Chief Justice might ascertain the position in the Court of Appeal.