RAILWAYS SICK BENEFIT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 332, 18 April 1928, Page 16

RAILWAYS SICK BENEFIT

SCHEME INADEQUATE ODDFELLOWS CRITICAL

Press Association. HASTINGS, Tuesday.

The biennial conference of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows was continued this morning, when a discussion took place on the proposed Government Railways sick Benefit scheme. The subject was referred to in the grand master’s / report, aud it was said that the board of directors had carefully investigated the question from all angles. The chief objection to the proposal was that the contribution provided for in the scheme was totally inadequate for the benefits stated. According to Information possessed by the society it would appear that an annual deficit of £B,OOO is expected when the scheme functions. This would necessitate the granting of a subsidy for this amount from the State. The principles embodied in the scheme were a direct violation of the Government requirements in the registration and the certification of similar funds controlled by friendly societies. The board was of opinion that the transgression by the Government of statutory enactments intended to prevent the introduction of financially unsound sick benefit schemes in the Dominion would result In destroying the confidence of friendly society members which the provisions of the Friendly Societies Act warranted.

A protest was immediately foiwarded to the Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, directing his attention to a promise given in the House regarding the sick benefits scheme. The election of officers and directors for the ensuing two yeans resulted as follows —Grand master, Mr. F. Pritchard, Ashburton; deputygrand master, Mr. H. S. M. Quigley, Hawke’s Bay; secretary, Mr. A. G. Shrimpton, Nelson; grand treasurer, Mr. G. Read, Wellington; auditor, Mr. E. W. Vellow; trustees, Messrs. W. H. Madeley and W. I. Clark, Wellington; directors, Messrs. T. J. Archibald (North Caffi;rbury), P. M. Smith (Wellington). C. H. Ambridge (Auckland), C. W. Dell (Ashley), J. W. Watt (Ashburton), W. McMillan (Auckland). The question of again approaching the Government, advocating the adoption of a cheque system for friendly societies through the Post Office Savings Bank, was discussed by the conference, and the incoming board of directors was instructed ’ to consider and to forward the matter at the earliest possible moment.