LODGE COUNCIL’S ACTION

Southland Times, Issue 24244, 30 September 1940, Page 6

LODGE COUNCIL’S ACTION

Social Security And Sick Pay “HIGH-HANDEDNESS” ALLEGED (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, September 29. Describing its action as “high handed,” two speakers at the half-yearly meeting of the Otago District Committee of the Manchester Unity yesterday strongly criticized the Dominion Friendly Societies Council in Wellington for its negotiations with the Social Security Department over sick pay due to lodge members. The speakers, Provincial Treasurer W. R. Sellar and P.P.G.M. P. W. Stabb, alleged that the council had taken mandatory powers which it did not possess and had led the Government to believe that lodge secretaries would service the sick pay side of the Social Security Act with the result that circular letters to that effect had been sent out by the department. Brother Stabb described the council’s action as a case of the tail wagging the dog and said he refused as a trustee to allow Social Security moneys to be merged with lodge funds and then paid out again to beneficiaries by secretaries. Brother Sellar sought the passing of a resolution to cancel affiliation with the council but it was eventually decided to set up a special committee to consider the question of affiliation and report in six months’ time.