FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 July 1918, Page 7

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' ASSOCIATION.

SERIOUS FINANCIAL POSITION. The annual report of the executive of the Taranaki United Friendly Societies' Association for the year ended March 31, 1918, which is to be presented at the annual meeting on July 18, is as follows: "We regret to have to state that the position of the association is far from satisfactory and the liabilities were more than what we anticipated. When the book? were taken jver by the present secretary (Mr. H. R. Cattley), the accounts owing totalled a net amount of £IOOO. and at the end of the present vear the net amount owing was £l2ll 0» 6d. This means the liabilities arc heavy, and, in the opinion of your exe» cntive, the time has now arrived for something urgent to be done to save the association from qoing into liquidation; and it means, after paying the balance of the accounts pro rata, the amounts then owing will have to be met by the individual members who have incurred them. No doubt all secretaries and members of friendly societies lealiso what a fine assistance the association has rendered, and by most of its members it is considered to be one of the finest benefits offered, and now is the time for us to show our mutual fellowship, as one and all lodges connected with the institution are interested, and if the members do not come to the asi sistanee of the association it means that we must disband as a Friendly Societies' Hospital Association. The executive have gone carefully into the position, and, after considerable thought and discussion, have come to the conclusion that the best way out of the difficulty is to appeal to all members for a straight-out levy to cover this amount. The amount of this levy would be Os per male member and 4s each per female member, and we trust that all secretaries will work to ybtain this amount. We must point out the serious position of the association, and, ag members of friendly societies, we feel that the lodges are morally, if not legally, entitled to pay the accounts of those most unfortunate members who have had occasion to use the benefits of the hospital association. We have made an appeal to the Ntew Plymouth Hospital Board for their assistance, and we are pleased to say that we have been successful in getting a further liberal allowance from this board. Our thanks are due. to them, and, on behalf of the association, we have pleasure in placing on record our appreciation of their kindness. The sum of •GI37S 12s 9d was received'by way of contributions, and the amount of accounts paid amounted to £1032 8s lid. . . . Claims must be made within the prescribed time, as set out in the rules, and it is the intention of the executive to strictly enforce these rules and refuse to recognise any claim unless this is done. The total number of contributing members at the end of the year was 1930'" In conclusion, the executive ask that all societies should appoint a delegate to represent them at this annual meeting, to be held at Stratford, as it will be an important one, and likely ■*« aft-jot all societies in the district.