Friendly Societies

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 88, 25 February 1888, Page 3

Friendly Societies

A very important decision was given • by Mr Ward. R.M., on the 17th inst > . in the case Foresters v. Roberts, when judgment was given for plaintiffs for amount claimed and all costs. As l this was a test case> and several sinii- >• lar ones are, we understand, to follow, J the decision is of great importance to * j members of Friendly Societies gener- > ally. The rules of some of the Soci- > eties, if not all, provide that members * can resign by giving notice in writing of their intention to do so, but no res--] ■ ignation can be accepted till all dues j \- owing by such member are fully paid i up; then, and not till then, does he ' cease to be a member of the Court, * Lodge, or Tent. This is only just to ( i a Society, because,, if members could [ run up a score — incur liability to any i extent they desired, and then turn I round and say, when asked for payi ment, " Oh, I have left the Lodge, I •' don't reckon myself as a member, i therefore I will not pay any contributions" (and that, perhaps, immedi- , ately after receiving sick pay or other - benefit), no Society could send in correct accounts of its funds, for under the impression named above, members would drop out when they choose, and pay up when it suited their purpose to do so, in order to be able to claim on the funds of the Society. It is well for members of Benefit Societies to , know the position in which they stand to *,heir Society, and thus save them- ] selves unnecessary expense, and the officers very much trouble in carrying out what must be to them a very unpleasant duty. — Woodville Examiner.