FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 199, 11 May 1918, Page 8

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

WAR NEEDS AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION

A deputation representing the High Court of the New Zealand Foresters and the Wellington District of the same order, waited upon the Hon. Arthur M. Myers (Acting-Minister of Finance) for tho purpose of explaining the difficulties of their sociotics in financing wnr linbilit.'es.

ilr. Wilson (Dunedin), High Court Hanger for New Zealand, set out the position of (societies and the obligations they* hat, undertaken in making good to the societies' funds the contributions of their brother members who had gone on active service. Mr. Wilson pointed out that tho liability in this respect had, on account of tho prolongation of tho war, much exceeded anticipations, and he was of opinion that the Government might well assist them in their efforts to maintain the stability of thi) benefit funds. "Mr. Darlow (Auckland), High Court Secretary, furnished the Minister with details of the transaction.; which the societies were involved in over these matters, and suggested that the Government aid might lake tho form of a halfsubsidy. His society recognised that the members should hear part of the burden, but the whole of i 1; was now found to bo too heavy.

Messrs. Baldwin, Taylor and Trnvers, of fhe Wellington District,' also spoke, the last named mentioning that tho objects of the deputation had the support of his society. 'I he Hon. Mr. Myers, in reply, expressed regret that his colleague, the Hon. Mr. Hnnan (the Minister'in charge of Friendly Societies) was out of Wellington, as he would have been pleased to meet tho High Court executive. His own responsibility in the proposals of tho deputation lay in his position as ActingMinister V Finance, and in that capacity ho was receiving the deputation. He wished to congratulate the society on, the ■patriotic and self-sacrificing decision at the outbreak of war lo m°et the liability created bv their membeis going on,active service. 'He bad to recognise that tho wnr having lasted so long, many matters now coming up for consideration required to be looked nl from a new point ot view, so many changes in social and political conditions had been brought about. He expressed tho opinion that perhaps a working arrangement between (lie Financial Assistance Hoard and the ■Registrar on behalf of the societies might Tie possible, and load to the establishment of a practical scheme lo deal with the future liabilities of the societies for these contributors. As regards past deficiencies, it might be practicable to evolve a satisfactory scheme oir the lints suggested, und be recommended tho societies to furnish the Registrar; with the data that, would enablb the Minister of Friendly Societies to, present the position to Cabinet. ■