Friendly Societies

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 42, 13 January 1894, Page 5

Friendly Societies

1.0.0. F., M.U. There is, in commercial phrase, a good deal of competition among our friendly societies as to which can offer the greatest benefits to those who join their ranks. One form which it takes is the issue of leaflets on the subject. The latest of these emanates from the Invercargill District, 1.0.0. F., M.U. The Manchester Unity, with which the District is connected, is described as the richest friendly society in the world, with a capital of over eight millions sterling, and a membership of 709,403 persons. The following facts and figures in connection with the Order in New Zealand are of general interest: — From the Registrar's report the total membership of registered Friendly Societies in New Zealand, Ist January, 1891, was 27,372, with funds of the value of £470,133. In respect of these figures we append the following to show the relative strength numerically and financially of the registered Friendly Societies in the Colony:— Members. Funds. M.U. Oddfellows ... 11,061 ... £201,449 A.O. Foresters ... ... 8,385 ... 128,840 Druids ... 2,838 ... 19,430 1.0. Rcchabitcs ... 1,273 ... 23,150 1.0. Oddfellows (A.C.)... 943... 15,095 Sous and Daughters of Temperar.cc ... ... 82/ ... 5,211 H.A.0.8.S 745 ... 9,870 Protestant Alliance ... 691 ... 0,220 Other Societies... ... 009 ... 0,202 27,372 £170,133 Manchester Unity Oddfellows, £23 12s 9d per member; Rechabites, £lB 3s 8d per member; Oddfellows, (A.C.) £l6 12s lOd per member ; Foresters, £ls 7s 4d per member ; Hibernian, £l3 10s 4d per member ; Protestant Alliance, £9 per member ; Druids, £6 10s per member; Sons and Daughters of Temperance, £6 6s per member. INITIATION FEES.

BENEFIT S. Medical attendance (on initiation) to Member, Wife and Family. Six months after initiation the Member is entitled to

a sick allowance of 20s pen- week for first six months’ sickness,l3s per week for second six months’ sickness, 10s per week for continued sickness ; and after 12 months initiation a funeral allowance of £2O at death of Member ; £lO at death of Member's Wife. From the foregoing statement the benefits offered for the contributions received arc better than those offered by any of the other Societies. Members of the above 1 nity can have a change of Medical Olhcer every three months from the five Medical Men belonging to the Medical Association; also Medicines L from the Friendly Societies’ Dispensary, Tay street.

18 to 22 £0 10 0 22 21, 0 10 6 24 26 0 11 6 26 28 0 13 0 28 30 0 15 0 30 31 0 17 6 31 32 1 0 6 32 33 1 4 0 33 5J 34 1 8 0 34 35 1 12 6 35 to 36 £1 17 6 36 )) 37 2 3 0 37 38 2 9 0 38 39 2 15 6 39 40 3 2 6 40 )) 41 3 10 0 41 )f 42 O O IS 0 42 43 4 6 6 43 5) 44 4 15 6 41 Sf 45 5 5 0 And Gs 6d to the above fees for Regalia. CONTRIBUTIONS. Age Pev 4 Weeks. 18 to 20 £0 4 0 20 25 0 4 4. 25 30 0 4 8 30 35 £0 5 3 ;35 40 0 5 9 40 45 0 6 0