FRIENDLY SOCIETY SICK BENEFITS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 210, 24 May 1918, Page 4

FRIENDLY SOCIETY SICK BENEFITS

SHOULD THEY BE PAID TO MEN IN MILITARY SERVICE? By Telecrauii—Press Association. Dunedin, May 2-' l. In the Magistrate's Court, John Simmonds, a grocer and returned soldier, claimed from Alired Sheiton, secretary of tho Ivanhoo Lodge of Druids, un amount representing sick pay at the rate of £1 per week from February 27 until tho dalo of his discharge from military service. The question at issue was whother a soldier could claim from a friendly society sick benefits whilo still in the military service. Counsel for tho plaintiff contended that payment of sick pay diu not depend upon whether a member was a wago or salary earner. In order to succeed the defence must show that plaintiff was ■ able to fulfil the active duties of a wildier. , For the defence it was stated that the attitudo the Ivanhoo Lodge had taken up was that of other lodges and orders, and they wished tho point settled. In a similar case regarding another soldier the committee resolved that .no such payment bo mado until after tho discharge of the member from military servica. Counsel contended that tho term "occupation" used iu a member's declaration and in the doctor's certificate meant the "means by which the livelihood was earned." The Magistrate, Mr. Bartholomew, reserved hU decision.