Private Benefit Societies.

Hastings Standard, Issue 328, 21 May 1897, Page 2

Private Benefit Societies.

THE COMMISSION'S OBJECTS. [By Telegkaph.] (Per Press Association.) Dunedin, This day. At the opening of the Commission to-day the chairman said it had reached their ears that there was a rumor that the Commission had for its purpose the harassing and annoying the Union Co ; there was nothing further from their intentions. They had to enquire into the affairs of 20 to 30 societies in the colony, the existence of which and the regulations governing the same were unknown to the general public. The Union Co.'s benefit society was not a direct spur to the setting up of the Commission, which was the outcome of a presentation to Parliament of a petition from the workmen of the Colonial Sugar Refinery Co. The Commission commenced proceedings with an examination into the affairs of the Union benefit society because it was the largest and because the Commissioners were informed that the Seamen's Committee had been withdrawn from the Te Anan and were living ashore waiting their arrival. They not only showed consideration in so acting but had prevented 8 or 10 men of the crew of the Waihora losing their ship. The object of the Commission was to ascertain whether the many private benefit societies as at present established were necessary or beneficial to workmen.