VALUABLE SERVICE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 132, 21 July 1941, Page 5

VALUABLE SERVICE

THE FRIENDLY SOCIETIES j OVER 109,000! MEMBERS The friendly societies movement in New Zealand is not only the old-' est and strongest, but probably the most efficient social organisation in the community, writesi "Historicus"" in the. Te Awamutu Courier. The position reached to-day with over 109,000 members and accumulated funds aggregating about £5,500,000, representing the quiet, persistent work over two decades of men and women who realised that the niovemenl offered an opportunity for cooperative effort and mutual assistance. Organisations that could command the constant service of men and women, generation after gener'ation, must have real merit and be of proved worth. It is generally recognised that the friendly societies have been a powerful factor in the life of the community, and that there would be a serious national loss if they were for any -reason, to lose their position. Danger Realised'. The sponsors of the Social Security legislation were at some pains to prove that their plans would not hamper the work of the friendly societies, but far-seeking members ot the various lodges realised that there was a danger. One of the chief attractions of thei movement is that providing for medical attention. The lodges have entered into agreements with members of the medical profession which have proved highly satisfactory to all parties and have worked with smoothness throughout, very pleasant relations of material confidence and goodwill being established. It follows that any development that would interrupt this long-established, system must affect adversely the societies, and for that reason the proposals outlined by the Minister olj Healtli at Oamaru must create concern. '"""""""" Effect on Lodges. The plan is for the Government to pay friendly societies "the amount members had paid in respect of medical care," but there is a ion of an exceptionally important kind. No payment will be made in respect of any member entitled to medical benefits under the ordinal Social Security scheme "who. is in an area where special arrangements have been made for the provision of medical What will be the effect on friendly societies in those areas? To many the principal factor of their membership will have been removed —medical benefits. Wherever the Government can induce a medical practitioner to accept the State contract then apparently" the payments now amounted to friendly societies will \ cease automatically.

Undermine Whole System. It is all very well for the Minister of Health to urge that in these particular areas lodge members should retain membership in order to' obtain other privileges. The chief privilege the one that has been most effective in building up the movement, will have been removed. -This decision really tends to undermine the whole friendly society system. It is significant that since the introduction of this legislation the membership of friendly societies has fallen, and if that tendency should continue it will be a regrettable thing not only for the societies, but also for the country. Mutual Assistance. These organisations that have a valuable factor in prompting a spirit!01' mutual assistance, and in stressing the value of thrift and. independence in the development of character. They have played an important part in the communal life of tha people, and anything that woulcl threaten their position must against the besit interests of the! country. The real danger in the arrangement now announced by Minister of Health is that it must tend to undermine the membership ol" the friendly societiesi and ulti- f matelv make their position, untenable.