ON ACTIVE SERVICE.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1917, Page 1

ON ACTIVE SERVICE.

FItIENDI.Y SOCIETIES’ NEW BURDENS.

WELLINGTON, Aug. 0,

The war has thrown a now and he«v,j Imrdon on the friendly societies, .w 7000 of their members are on acjflve service, and they are being kept “financial'’ on the books during their absence. The Registrar of Friendly Societies estimates that tlie cost of one year's contributiins of these members to their sick and funeral funds is estimated at £10.500, and this sum represents what tlie members of societies in one form or another have to make good to the benefit funds at the present time on behalf of soldier members, irrespective of fees for medical attendance and medicines. 111-order to lighten the. burden some societies have adopted a method of spreading the liability over a long period-with small levies, a system that ensures the sick funds eventually receiving credit for the whole of these contributions of the soldier members. Jf a sinking fund is established for this purpose on sounud lines, no exception, says the Registrar, can be taken to such a course, which will enable societies to conserve their i funds and at the same time continue their patriotic efforts on belialf of the ' members at the front. Tlie State has come to the societies’ assistance a vote of £15,000 appearing on the Estimates for the Reinsurance of death benefits of soldier members, to the extent of one-half the premiums. The societies pay into the fund onelialf of the premium rates which had boon so fixed, the State finding the remaining moiety. In the case oi any profit at the close of the war the sulphas is to he distributed pro. rata amongst,the participating societies and the Government; while 'on the other hand, should the premium rate prove insufficient and a deficiency he shown a levy pro rata will be struck for the proportion due from all parties to the scheme. The reinsurance method has been adopted by practically the whole of the societies in the Dominion. Fp to March 31, 1917, .there wasrslßß members insured in the fund Representing' over equal to £200,424. This number increases as the reinsurances with outside companies expire.and of course as new men go into camp. The fund protects societies against uivefi’oet of a mortality liability thenfunds were never intended to carry, and is based on an . equitable footing as can be expected to meet the exigencies of the crisis