U.F.S. ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1920, Page 6

U.F.S. ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The annual conference of delegates to the faranaki United Friendly Societies Association was held in the Foresters' Hal!, Stratford, yesterday, Mr. A. J. Tunbridge (president), New Plymouth, presiding. The different lodges were represented as follows: 1.0.0. F.: R S. Rage (Hawera), R. G. Steer (Midhir?t), A. Melville (Kaponga), C. D. Sole (Stratford), H. Hill (Manaia), A. F. Dugdale (Waitara), T.Billings (Egmont), A C. Oakes (Hawera); Druids: R. Instone (Inglewood), T. Ewofis (Waitara), J. W. Jones (Stratford), W. Davis (Eltham), 15. LongstafV (Hawera); Reehabites: R. Sage (Hawera), A. J. Hopkins (Inglewood); Friendly Society: R. Pepperell; Hibernians: M. J. Jones (New Plymouth), ,T. Landers, J. Meldon (Manaia); A.0.F.: A. J. Tunbridge, F. C. Coleman (Waireka), J. D. Mirray (Taranaki,. R. K. Geddes, R. Fawcett, G. Bivgess (Stratford), W. Draper (Waitara). In moving the adoption of the report and. balance-sheet, the chairman, referring to hospital fees, said that as secretary of the lodge he knew the difficulty in collecting levies, and hoped something could be done without increasing the levy. Members, however, were generally receiving better wages, and perhaps could afford to pay an increased levy. Some glaring cases had come to light of late of secretaries who favored members to the detriment of Ihe Association. Many secretaries, however, were doing their very best for the Association.

Mr. tfvvens drew attention to the failure to issue the last half-yearly report. In reply to a delegate, (lie secretary stated that, of 5000 friendly society members in Taranaki, only 200 v.'vrV members of the Association. The report and balance-sheet wire adopted. THIS FINANCES. The chairman reported, that the executive decided to recommend the annual meeting to increase the annual levy. Mr. Pepperell moved that the annual levy he increased to £l. This levy would bring in £OOO if every member ■ naii) iid. Thia sum would not o&r th»

present sum owing to Boards, and the Association would have to face increased hospital fees. It seemed to him that there should be some machinery to keep members in the Association. At present members seemed to join for ly short time and then drop off. Mr. Sage thought the levy should be computed by the Registrar of Incorporated Societies, the Society incorporated, and given power to recover levies in the court. In reply to Mr. Davis, the chairman said the levy which would make the Society financial was three guineas, which was out of the question. Mr. Pepperell's motion was not proceeded with. Mr. Jones moved an alteration to the rules to the effect that the limit to be paid in chronic cases be £l4 instead of £3O as at present. . - '■ On a show of hands the amount was retained at £3O. Mr. Ewens then moved an amendment to tho effect that in future the limit for chronic cases be: First year £3O, second year £ls, and £5 for each subsequent year. After discussion the motion was carried.