FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' FUNERAL BENEFITS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 18 April 1907, Page 4

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' FUNERAL BENEFITS.

(To (lie Kditor.) Sir, —In your of April 3 you j^ivo u report of an address by .Mr. Hutclu-lor. Grand Master 1.0.0.1'., J!.l'. In that address lie refers to addtional I uncial benefits given by other societies. I presume he refers to the Druids for two reasons. One is that we are the only Friendly Society ill New Zealand that pays £l2O on the doatli of a full benefit mejnber; secondly, lie refers to a growing society which the Druids can justly claim to be, having started the Grand Lodge of the North Island with 11 lodges and about GOO members, and to-day they have 03 lodges and over 00(10 members, having made greater progress than any other society, this advancement being due iu a great measure to the additional funeral benelits and other advantages. I should ask Mr. Batchelor if it is not better to give a widow' with a family £l2O instead of £3O given by his society? The Druids for a considerable time have given the, £l-20 without any trouble. I would advise .Mr. Batelielor when he quotes figures to be certain before he- makes them public. The Druids have never had to pay 13s per year for the additional benelits, but considerably less tliau this amount. And now a little advice to Mr. Batehelor and other prominent members of Friendly Societies. Do not endeavor to strengthen your lodges by circulating detrimental reports concerning the Druids. But remember, that we are all banded together to relieve suH'cring humanity, and should try and help all societies to grow, as the larger the number we have the better work we can do.—l am, etc., H. J. GILBERT, President U.A.O.D.