“HIGH HANDED”

Evening Star, Issue 23694, 30 September 1940, Page 6

“HIGH HANDED”

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES COUNCIL VIEW CRITICISM OF NEGOTIATIONS Strong criticism of the Dominion Friendly Societies Council in Wellington Was expressed at the half-yearly meeting of the Otago District Committee of the M.U.1.0.0.F ou Saturday. It was directed against the negotiations of that body with the Social Security Department, over the sick pay duo to lodge members. “ It has come to our knowledge,” said Prov. Treasurer W. R. Sellar, “ that secretaries of lodges in Otago have received a circular letter from the Social Security Department stating that as from September 23 Social Security sick pay will bo paid to beneficiaries through the society of which they are members. The letters state that this arrangement has been made with the Dominion Friendly Societies Council. This executive, however, decided that our secretaries were not going to service the sick payments, and the Dominion Council has been written to asking for an explanation why the circular has been sent out. When we receive a reply appropriate will be taken. Under the circular it is mandatory for the secretaries to service the scheme, although if a secretary does not want to he can give notice to the registrar. “ This is one of the most highhanded things ever done by the Dominion Council, and some reconstruction of the council should bo effected.” Bro. Sellar moved—“ That this district cancels its affiliation with the Dominion Council.” “ This is a case of the tail wagging the dog,” said P.P.G.M. P. W. Stabb. “ The council has in some way led the Government to believe it is a body with mandatory powers, and has never said it is only an advisory body. We have the right to say wo will not service the scheme, but the council has accepted mandatory powers and has said wo must. It is a bombshell to ns, and it will get us into an _ unholy tangle. The department will send cheques to the secretaries of the various lodges, and they will be paid into the lodge funds. Then sick pay U-ill be paid out of lodge funds. “As a trustee,” ho continued, “1 refuse to allow Social Security money to be merged with lodge funds. As a friendly society movement we should not service the scheme, yet the council has the temerity to tell us we must. At the same time it might be better to wait 12 months and see what happens rather than carry Bro. Sellar’s motion.” I.P.N.G, A. J. T. Fraser said the matter showed how easy a consultative body could develop into an executive body, so that it superseded the main authorities and bound them by decisions. They must guard against becoming over-centralised. He would support tli© motion, not because h. 6 wanted to see the council squashed, but because some revision was necessary. After further discussion the motion was withdrawn, the following motion being carried :— 11 That the question of continued affiliation with the Dominion Council of Friendly Societies be referred to a special committee of five, a?ong with the executive, and that their recommendations be referred to all lodges and deferred until the nest meeting.”