TARANAKI UNITED FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1918, Page 3

TARANAKI UNITED FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

XINTH ANNUAL iIEKTIX'G. The following delegates were present at the meeting ut the above afc<oeiution held ut Stratford yesterday: Bros. A. J. lunbridgo (president), Court Waireka A.0.F., New Plymouth; J. J). Murray, 'laianaki A.0.F., Xew Plymouth; tt. J. McNiven, Ilawera, A.0.F.; P. Tinnier. Stratford, A.0.F.; J. Andrew:*, Kllham. A.0.F.; R. H. Geddes and A. ( -o!dw ell, lnglewood, A.0.F.; W. Draper, V. ai I a c:t, A.0.F.; Alex. Ferguson, Toko, 1 )(ldieHows; T. .Moiirio, Manaia, 11.A.C. 8.5.; B. Weybourne, Xew iPlyinoutli, 11. A. C. B. S.; S. WlutUam, Stratford Rec-habites; J. H. Thompson, Haivcra K.; .I Ifopson, Inglcwood R.; H. Hill, Manaia Oddfellows, M.U.: P.. I). Dagg, Kaponga ; E. H. Proffitt, Whangamoinona 0.; W, 0. Patten, Haivera 0.; Pi. Steer, Midhirst 0.: L. Little. New Plymouth, Excelsior O.; H. McGahoy, New Plymouth, Egmont. 0.; 0. 15. Sole, Stratford 0.; F. C. Kelly, New iPly:mouth, Paritntu A.0.; \Y. Scott, Hawera A.0.; F. Rpurdle, Jnglewoocl. 1'.A.0.D,; \\. Davis, Kit ham D.; P. H. Evan". W'ai - tara, I).; G. Longstafl' and 11. E. Sutton, Haweva D.; F Brabant, Waitara Oddfellows, and the secretary, Bro. H, R. Cattley, Xew Plymouth, A.O.F.

The President, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said he regretted having to state that the position of tlie association was in a very bad way. Some seemed to think that this was attributable to the present executive, but they should disabuse their minds on that point. Actually they had made a profit of £IOO, but in taking office they found they had a debit of over £I2OO. a position they were not aware of at Ihe last annual meeting. Regarding the liabilities to be met, the suggested levy of Ks, if made, should carry the association over the present unfortunate position. They should stick together, and ho felt sure the experience they had gained would be beneficial. The whole trouble was caused through, in the past, having an unlimited liability. Again, they had to contend with infections cases, and if those continued the association would lie ruined. Wiiole families seemed to go to the hospitals and the association had to meet the obligation. He thought the medical men or health authorities were somewhat hasty in ordering children to the iiospitals. In past years they had not calf the bother. He was glad to say the hospital boards had met them very* fairly indeed. They had not received a reply from the Hawera Board, but should the Ilawera Board grant the 25 per cent, rebate, as New Plymouth, Stratford, and Pa tea had done, with the loyal co-operation of the members contributing the association would survive. Some of the accounts had been incurred five years hack. Some comment had been made on the difference in cost between north and south members. This should be eliminated; all lioukl pull together for the common purpose. For the year just ended the northern members had cost £124:1 and had contributed .€1370, whilst from below Inglewood to t'atea £727 had been pnid out and £SOB received, a loss of £15!). but the actual diilerence was about Is per member spread over the year. If the southern members had had a bigger percentage of sickness and accidents over the northern it was unfortunate, but should not disturb the harmony of members or the work of the association. Bro. Brabant seconded. The new executive had accomplished a vast amount of work and the results secured were very encouraging. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Bro. Sole paid a tribute to the work of Bro. Cattley (secretary). The president moved that a levy of Os be struck, as suggested in the report. Bro. Ewcns moved as an amendment that the charge for members up to IS years be 3s. Bro. Sole seconded the amendment pro forma, but wa.s not in sympathy with the idea. Young men were earning good wages and were quite capable of paying the same as others—in many instances they had more spare cash than the married man. Bro. McGabey moved that any member seceding should be debarred from joining again during the succeeding J2 months. — Seconded by Bro. McNiven. Bro. Geddes moved that any member who refused to pay the (is levy should not be allowed to participate in nis benefits until he had paid. After some discussion Bro. Geddes' amondment was lost and Bro. McGahey's motion carried. One or two alterations to the rules were made. I ELECTION OP OFFICERS, The election of officers resulted: President, A. Tnnbridge (re-elected); vicepresident, A. Coldwell (re-elected); executive, Bros. Sole, Brabant, Gilbert, and McNiven; secretary and treasurer, Bro. H, R. Cattley (re-elected). GENERAL. A vote of sympathy to relatives of members who had fallen at the front during the past year was carried in silence. I