CALL FOR STATE AID.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1773, 11 June 1913, Page 8

CALL FOR STATE AID.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. DEPUTATION TO MR FISHER, FINANCE OF LODGES. A deputation representing the Friendly Societies of Wellington waited upon the non. F. 11. 13. Fisher last evening to make a request that the Minister should mako known tho Government's propjsals to assist societies with subventions. Mr. Seddon had submitted a scheme' to societies, but since his death nothing jaoro had been heard of it, and the societies would like to have tho Government s proposals regarding financial assistance submitted to them. It was stated that some of tho societies were opposed to subvention for tlie reason that it would, as they thought, lay them open to Government interference. 11l tho meantime the deputation did not ask the Minister to support or to gtvo subventions, but, us it had been announced that the Government intended lo bring in a Bill on the lines of the New South Wales Act, tho societies would like to bo supplied with copies of the Bill, so that it might be discussed. The Bill Now on the Stocks. The Minister, in reply, said he had a draft of the Government Bill, which was on the stocks, and ho believed it was to some extent a copy of tho Bill which had been prepared some yeors ago. Iho Government fullv recognised the magnificent self-supporting work the friendly societies were doing throughout and the Government had 110 desire to hara°s the societies with inspection or interference of nnv kind. Whether the Bill would be acceptable to the societies or not remained to bo seen. But there was a schedule or appendix attached to the Bill which showed tho financial position of all the societies in New Zealand, lie had not held the Bill back for any political purpose whatever, but it was at least, questionable whether it would be the wish of societies to have the appendix published, which would disclose tho unsound financial condition of some of the lodges in New Zealand. One society, for instance, had a deficiency, as shown by actuarial calculation, of _ .C5q,000. Ho doubted whether tho publication of this fact would do that society, any good. Iho value of the Bill would be very much reduced without the schedule./ However, he would like to have the opinion of the deputation as to whether they would like to have the Bill circulated among the societies with the appendix or without it, or not at all. Before they answered, lie tho unlit they should consider smoiisly whether it was to divulge actual financial position of the societies, no assured the deputation finally that Hhf* societies need not fear having the Bill or anv part of it rammed down their throats. The Government placed a msh value on the work of friendly societies, and he believed they saved the Governj ment several thousand pounds a year. Deputation's Vote of Thanks, Finally the members of the deputation withdrew to consider the Minister's proposal, and returned later to givo their .answer. Mr. John Kershaw, who had spoken throughout for the deputation, said "let members had had on outline of the Bill Tend to them, and also tho schedule, and they had come to the, conclusion that they should ask tho Minister to supply tho Bill and the schedule to the societies. He al c o wished to express for tho deputation; their satisfaction with the manner in which the schedule had teen prepared, and to convey a voto of thanks to the registrar and li's staff foi' and for the assistance tfhie'h friendly societies had at nil times received from his office. Mr. Fisher replied that ho would ask for tho autlioritv of Cabinet to supply conies of the Bill to societies, and then, if "it were favourably received bv the societies, ho would introduce the Bill in the House. •