THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 1880.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2005, 28 July 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 1880.

The movement which is now being made in the direction of the establishment of an association welding together as it were all the Friendly Societies in Canterbury, is one which deserves the support not alone of those more directly interested, but of the general public. It canuot bo denied for one moment that these societies do a great work in the communities in which they are. Not only do they teach men the great lessons of thrift and frugality, hut they also step in when sickness would probably render individuals burdens on the State, and thus lighten the amount of taxation. Therefore it is that, even outside the members themselves, the project we have referred to of uniting in one association the various orders for the common good, is something which deserves the support of all who can render any assistance to make the movement a success. Each and all of the Societies have the same end and object in view, but are seeking to attain it by different routes. This Association does not propose to change the existing order of things in this respect. The objects sought to bo gained are mutual benefit, by bringing the different orders into closer relationship with each other, and the establishment of a scheme of Mutual Life Assurance and a Dispensary for the members of Friendly Societies. With respect to the scheme of Life Assurance, the details of that have still to be worked out, and it remains to be seen what amount of support will be accorded to it by the members themselves. But the project for a Dispensary is nothing new. It has been established elsewhere in the colonies most successfully, and if brought in hero will greatly increase the power for good of tho Friendly Societies. It will enable the various orders to reduce their scales of fees, because their medical fees will be reduced, and thereby they will draw in many who now are outside, owing to inability to make the payments. This, as we have already shown, is a matter of interest to the public, because every family thus provided for by means of a Friendly Society is removed from the chance of being a charge upon the community. The Association starts with a fine field of labor before it, and we can only hope that success will attend its efforts.