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But, although the contributions have been increased, the scale of benefits has also been largely increased, as follows: — Old Scale. Present Scale. 16s. per week during first six months of sickness £1 during first six months Bs. per week during second six months of sickness 10s. during second six months 4s. per week during remainder of sickness se. during remainder £12 at death of member £20 at death of member £8 at death of wife £10 at death of wife The scales of contributions for new members are exceedingly satisfactory when compared with the former scales. It is, however, to be regretted that the scale for members initiated before the Bth December, 1875, should still have been kept so low, the contributions at all ages being lower than what is required at the lowest age of twenty-two years ; aud the insufficiency of such rate to insure solvency is apparent when compared with the rates for the higher ages according to the Actuary's scale. Wellington District, A.O.F. —The new rules provided for a graduated scale of contributions for new members only, instead of the old ungraduated scale. These scales are minimum scales for all the courts. Old Scale, for Old Members. New Scale. Actuary's Scale. 2s. per month to Sick and Funeral Fund, 18-27 —2s. Od. per month ... 2s. s_d. to 3s. Id. and an extra 6d. per month if mem- 27-33 —2s. 4d. per month ... 3s. Id. to 3s. Bd. ber over 38. 33-38—3s. Od. per month ... 3s. Bd. to 4s. 3id. 38-40—4s. Od. per month ... 4s. 3|d. to 4s. 7|d. The retention of the old scale for existing members is a mistaken policy, and can but be productive of evil. The scale has been hitherto very far from sufficient, and the perpetuation of that scale tends to jeopardize the society. The contributions on account of new members are insufficient in themselves, if judged by the Actuary's scale, and therefore cannot in any way help to secure the condition of solvency imperilled by the former low scale. Auckland Branch, H.A.C.B.S. —The amount of contribution to the Sick and Funeral Fund is left undecided by the rules, but the adoption of an ungraduated scale is evident. This is most unsatisfactory. An ungraduated scale is generally, if not in all cases, insufficient to secure the future payment ofthe promised benefits, and is always a source of injustice, as pressing with undue heaviness on the members at the younger age-periods, and relieving tho older members from legitimate payments at the expense of the younger members. The minimum of Gd. per week fixed by the general laws of the society is, having regard to the promised benefits, an utterly inadequate payment to be made even by members entering at the early age of 18, much more so by older members. Independent Order of Odd Fellows of New Zealand, Friendly Society. —This society has altered the scales of contributions in a most satisfactory manner, the new scale being such as to reasonably insure confidence in the ultimate success of the society. The old and new scales to provide the usual sick and funeral benefits are subjoined. Old Scale. New Scale. Sick Fund. Funeral Fund. Per Quarter. Per Quarter. sd. per week to Sick Fund; 2d. 18-20 ... ss. lOd. ... Is. 9d. (nearly) per week to Funeral 21-25 ... 6s. 6d. ... Is. lid. Fund. 26-30 ... 7s. 4d. ... 2s. 4d. 31-35 ... Bs. Bd. ... 2s. 9d. 36-40 ... 10s. Od. ... 3s. 2d. 41-45 ... lis. lid. ... 3s. lOd. These new scales of contributions, calculated by Messrs. Leslie and Black, agree closely with the Actuary's scale. The society is to be commended on their adoption. Progress Division of the Sons of Temperance of Australasia, Kaiapoi. —The benefits given by this society are —20s. per week during the first six months' sickness, 10s. during the second six months', ss. per week afterwards, or a bonus extinguishing all claims on the society ; £20 at death of a member, and £10 at death of a member's wife. The unusual feature is, the bonus instead of protractedsickness payments. As it is the protracted sickness which fluctuates greatly when the numbers are small, especially tho sickness inherent to advanced age, the exercise of this provision, if care is taken in fixing the amount, will be found useful in relieving the society from uncertain claims that cannot be well estimated. The scale of contributions is, however, too low for the benefits promised. Scale adopted, Sick and Funeral Fund. Govt. Actuary's Scale. 16 to 20, two-thirds of os. lOd. per week= 6Jd. ... 7d. to 7_d. 20 to 25, „ os. lid. „ == 7id. ... 7..d. to Bd. 25 to 30, „ Is. Od. „ = Bd. ... Bd. to 9d. 30 to 35, „ Is. 2d. „ = 9->d. ... 9d. to 10_d. 35 to 40, „ Is. 4d. „ =10|d. ... 10^d. to Is. OJd. 40 to 45, „ Is. Od. „ =ls. ... Ts. OJ_. to la, 2|d. The other third ofthe contributions being devoted to management expenses. The New Zealand Prudential Assurance Society. —This is the first representative in New Zealand of a group of societies (" collecting societies") numerous and important in England, and with reference to which section 30 of the Imperial Act (incorporated as section 31 of the New Zealand Act) was framed. This society differs, however, from the bulk of societies included in the group, in not being a mere burial society, as it grants life assurances to adults up to £200, the statutory limit. In the character of the business contemplated it assimilates closely to the Industrial Branch of the Prudential Assurance Company in England. Persons of both sexes arc admitted to membership, tho minimum age being sixteen, and insurances are granted on the lives of children of members. Insurers under £50 obtain full benefits after six months' membership; above £50, half benefits in six months, full benefits in twelve months. No medical examination is required prior to admission of members insuring to a less amount than £50. This appears to be a hazardous provision, though in

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