FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2034, 27 September 1919, Page 3

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

GOVERNMENT CONCESSIONS FOR SOLDIER MEMBERS. The result of the obligation undertaken by the .Government to maintain the stability of the members’' benelit funds is thus stated in the Budget:— The Government’s concessions of paying one-half the cost of the mortality benefits of soldier 'members since the outbreak of war, and which was in 1916 merged in the Departmental Reinsurance Fund, was terminated on the-31st March last, although renewed risks up to that date will have twelve months to run. The cost of the subsidy from 191-1 to 1916 by way of votes in aid o? the outside, reinsurances of the societies was £11,990. In the Departmental Reinsurance Fund, operating since 1916 under mutual agreement between the Government -and the societies, there were 11,638 members insured, and, up to date, 1,161 deaths have been recorded. The Government's contribution towards this fund amounts to £24,271. The Government recognised the, claims of the societies lo consideration on account of the. losses to their benelit funds occasioned by the non-payment of contributions by soldiers while absent oif service. A grant was authorised which will ■ have - the effect of reinstating the funds. Up to the 31st March the amount of £10,117 had been paid to societies’ funds on this account. A further payment of £25,000 will be necessary to meet the liability, and a vote for that amount will be submitted in the curx-ent year’s estimates. Under the social-insurance system enacted in 1916 for the benefit of friendly societies, maternity claims numbering 6,554, amounting to £26,216, have been paid out by the Government since the Ist January, 1917. It is intended to increase this allowance (o members of friendly societies from £4 to £6, and raise the income ((ualiticalion above (he rate,,fixed in the main Act. The value of subsidy and benefits granted during the war period for ance lias reached,a total of £97,594, exclusive of the State’s liability for soldier excess sickness.