ODDFELLOWSHIP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20124, 18 April 1928, Page 7

ODDFELLOWSHIP

BIENNIAL CONFERENCE SICK FUNDS DISCUSSED [ Per Press Association. J HASTINGS, April 17. The biennial conference of Oddfellows was continued this morning when a discussion took place on the benefit scheme. Th© matter was referred to in the Grand Master’s report and it was ex* plained that the proposed Government railway sick board of directors had carefully investigated the question from all angles. The chief objection to the proposal was that the contribution provided in the scheme was totally inadequate for the benefits stated. According to information possessed by the Society it would appear that an annual deficit of £B,OOO was expected in the functioning of the fund. This would necessitate the {ranting of a subsidy for this amount from the State purse. Tho principl?s embodied in the scheme were a direct violation of Government requirements in the registration and certificates of similar funds controlled by friendly societies. The board was of opinion that transgression by the Government of the legislative enactment to prevent the introduction of a financially .sound sick benefit scheme in the Dominion would result in th<. destroying of the confidence of’ friendly societies’ members that the provisions of the Friendly Society Act warranted. A protest was immediately forwarded to the Prime Minister directing attention to his promise given in the House regarding sick benefits schemes. Mr F. Pritchard (Ashburton) was elected Grand Master. The election of officers and directors for the ensuing two years resulted as follows:—Grand Master, Mr F. Pritchard, P.D.G.M. (Ashburton), Deputy Grand Master, Mr H. S. M. Quigley, P.D.G.M. (Hawke’s Bay); Grand Secretary, Mr A. G. Shrimpton P.G.M. (Nelson), Grand Treasurer, Mr G. Read P.D.G.M. (Wellington); auditor, Mr E. W. Yellow; Grand Trustees, Messrs W. H. Bradcly, P.D.G.M. (Wellington), and W. P. Clark, P.D.G.M. (Wellington); ''directors, Messrs J. Archibald (North Canterbury), P. M. Smith (Wellington), C. H. Ambridge (Auckland), C. W. Bell (Ashley), J. W. Watt (Ashburton), W. ‘Macmillan (Auckland). The question of again approaching the Government advocating the adoption of the cheque system for Friendly Societies through th© Post Office Savings Bank was voiced by the conference, and the incoming board of directors was innstructed to consider forwarding the matter at the earliest possible moment.