FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2396, 27 February 1915, Page 8

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

SOME INTERESTING FIGURES. . \ > (By TelegMiph.—Press Awooiation.V Chrlatchuroh, February 26. Mr. R. E. Hayes (Registrar of Friendly. Societies), speaking at a lodge banquet, gave some very interesting figures relating to friendly societies m New Zealand as . a whole. Ho said that in twenty-seven-years to 1913 the enormous sum of £2;487,573 was. paid out by the' societies for. aickness, medical and funeral benefits.' - In the same period members paid in contributions amounting "to £2,773,307, and their funds earned in interest £875,147. The present funds stood at £1,465,159. , ' . ' ' Speaking of percentage of population affected by friendly societies m New Zealand, Mr. Hayes stated.that ihe. actual membership was, say, 74,000, and allowing an average of four to a family, the number affected would be 296,000, or nearly one-third of the population, who, directlj and indirectly, received protection and benefits from these organisations.- , IniV-the. New; .Zealand, friendly' Societies' medical attendance covers family, instead 9f member only, as is the case in Britain. • The Hon. W. Earnshaw, in responding to the Parliamentary toast, said that the State Departments were an indispensable factor in the Government, and ho would take occasion to refer to, the Friendly Society Department, of New Zealand. Speaking from personal experience, he could say that in the whole British Empire the New Zealand office, stood out as the most ablyconducted and of most value to the societies, and in the present Registrar, Mr. Hayes, the societies were fortunate in having an officer whose ability; and enthusiasm for ths' interests of the societies were much appreciated by all who' had business with; the office.