FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8119, 25 May 1906, Page 2

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

NATIONAL ANNUITIES. FEB FBESS ABBOCIATION. Wellington, May 2<t. The Colonial Conference of Friendly Societies gave consideration this afternoon to the letter received from the Premier on the subject of national aunutics. Bro. Salck (Wanganui) said lie would like to know why Friondly Societies should bo offered a refund, nnd turned into charitable institutions. Tliey were independent in every way, and if they accepted anything at all, tboy would be amenablo to tho Govern' ment. Other societies encouraged thrift. The insurance companies did so by insuring for a given amount at a certain age, and ho would liko to know I whether tho Government would dare l( make a similar offer to such an institution The societies consisted of men who hud bound themselves together for mutual hoi p. They had never asked the Government for monetary assistance, and he failed to se< why thoy should be offered a sliding scale of refunds. Tho sooieties wanted no assistance from the Government, or any other body in tho colony. Bro. Jull (Hawkes' Bay), felt thai tho conlercnce should do something more than pass resolutions rejecting the proposals, on grounds that they would not accept any keep from the Government.

Bro. Everett (Nelson) objected to cavalirly treat the proposal. The app'.icalion of Ihis scheme wculd enable them to take in the infirm, whom, under present circum.'tanoes the tics lind to roject. Bro. Harvey (Otngo) was of opinion tliht the Premier's idea was to envcur uge thrift. Bro. Moffatt hoped the scheme would receive every consideration.

After further discussion Bro. Loasby moved an amondment, which was carried, expressing tho view that before a decided opinion could be expressed on the scheme, the Bill authorising re funds to societies, should bo before llu societies, ,