FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1919, Page 6

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

EXTRA LOAD THROUGH THE WAR. DEPUTATION TO THE GOVERNMENT. Wellington, May 15. A deputation from the Friendly Societies from all over New Zealand waited on Ministers of the Crown to-day, the Hon. Allen, Myera and Hanan being present. The most important question referred to the financial position of the societies on account of the war. It was represented that numbers of members were returning from the war in such a condition that they would suffer indifferent health for many years, and would be, to a large extent, on the funds of the lodges to which they belonged. It was urged that the responsibility for [these men's reduced health should be j borne by the Government, and the societies asked for assistance in respect to this extra charge. It was pointed out that all societies had kept the soldiers' contributions going. Another request was that the maternity bonus should be increased to that allowed National Provident Fund contributors, and that the wage limit of ,£2OO should be increased considerably. A proposal wate made that societies, should be allowed to operate their ae- 1 counts in the Post Office Savings Bank, by cheque. Sir James Allen thanked the represpn- > tatives of the Friendly Societies for the kindness shown the soldiers. Members of the Government bad already, subsidised to the extent of one half the payments made on behalf of the soldiers to benefit the funds of the lodges. He understood the scheme had been submitted to the Government by which a.i members of the societies who had been on active service should be put into a separate class, that from time to time ' the sickness rate of these men should be compared with that of other members of lodges, and if it were found that benefits that had to be paid in respect of returned soldier members were higher, the Government should bear half the cost of the difference, the societies bearing the j other half. He assured the deputation that Cabinet would give earnest consideration to any proposal which would help the societies financially sound, provided it wasn't asked to pay an undue amount.

The Hon. Myers, Minister in charge of the National Provident Fund, referring to the request for an increase of the maternity bonus and the wage limit respecting it, said his Department was fully alivo to the altered circumstances, and a recommendation was being prepared for submission to Cabinet. The Hon. Hanan, Minister in charge of friendly societies said tire irsitter of after the war sickness had oeen before Cabinet. He had submitted a scheme to Cabinet, and he was to furnish'a fur? ther statement with a view toJnfiuencing the Government towards the acceptance of the scheme,but the question jtfas one of extreme difficulty. Mr 'Haiistn also assured the deputation that tfiß'ydelays in preparation of quinquennial Valuations had been -unavoidable, and they would not obtain in the future.