Friendly Societies' Conference.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8196, 24 May 1906, Page 6

Friendly Societies' Conference.

(For Press Association.) WELLINGTON. May 23. At the Friendly Societies' Conference, on the motion of Bro. Larnach (Otago Council*, seconded by Bro. W. Gibb (U.A.0.D.. All Nations), it was resolved *' That information required by the Registrar from the Societies should be mote clearly defined by the Act." Two remits in the direction of compelling auditing of secretaries' books by a public auditor, or by a Government auditor, were withdrawn. Bro. S. J. Watson iPalmerston North Council) moved "That it is desirable that all the Friendly Societies in New Zealand should adopt a uniform system of book-keeping, and that all lodges should have the same form of balancesheet." The mover hoped that uniformity of balance sheet would be corrcct, if "not uniformity of bookkeeping. Bro. H. Everett {L0.0.F., M.CL, Motueka) moved as amendment tbo addition of the words " Such uniform systsm and form to be established by the Govern inent Audit Department." Bro. Everett declared that most of the defalcations that happened occurrr-d because the Society auditors did not know their work. The amendment was negatived and the motion carried. Bro Larnach (Otugo Council) moved " That the Registrar be restrained from interfering with the Management Funds of a lodge. Ihe mover said that lodges should be permitted to spend out of this fund as they thought proper, so long as they did not trench upon the sick and funeral funds. This was rejected. Bro Larnach moved on behalf of the Otago Council, " That secretaries be allowed discretion to receive contributions outside the lodge room and on other than lodge nights." The motion was carried. Bro. K. W. Simpson (U.A.O.D. Canterbury Grand Lodge) moved to the effect that the Act be amended bo that annual returns made by lodges to the Registrar bo accepted as made up for the financial (as well as the calendar) year. This was lost on the voices. A motion was carried urging that members of Friendly Societies should not be penalised under the Old Age Pensions Act by virtue of drawine sick or other pay from the Society. A motion urging that the moneys of sick and funeral funds inv-sted in property be exempt from municipal taxes was negatived.