UNITED FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1921, Page 6

UNITED FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

TARANAKI ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL' REPORT, Following is the annual report of the Taranaki United Friendly Societies’ As- 1 soeiation, which will be presented at the annual meeting to be held at Strat- , ford on Thursday, August 4: — In presenting the twelfth annual report and balance-sheet for the year ended March 31, 1921, the members of the executive have pleasure in congratulating the association on the improved financial position. Accounts owing at ihe end of the previous year amounted to £679 16s Gd, and comparing with this year ( £475 7s) it means a decrease of £204 9s (kl on the year’s transactions. This is very satisfactory, but we must not lose sight of the fact that the association is still indebted to the amount of £475 7s. However, your executive can only express the wish that the at-luciation’s financial position will improve in th/ near future, and that in due time will be free of debt. Another important feature is the considerable increase in membership. The total number of members at, the end of the year was 2493, being an increase of 3C9 members. This increase is remarkable and vour executive cannot allow this oppor-

tunity to pass without referring to same. It is very gratifying to note that the members of friendly societies are beginning to realise what a fine assistance the association has been to them in carrying the burden of their hospital accounts especially for the married men with dependents. The following -lodges were in arrears with subscriptions: Lodge Hui 1.0.0. F. (N.Z.),. December and March quarters; Lodge Eltham 1.0.0. F. (N.Z.), March quarter; Lodge Kaponga H.A.C.8.; December and March quarters; Lodge Opunakc 1.0.0. F. (ALU.) is out of compliance The most important duty for all secretaries of lodges is to forward the

members’ contributions promptly every quarter, also a list of the paying members. This is only a small request, but your executive feel that it is one of the most important matters that should bo attended to, and it will then help tho work of the secretary of the association. The amounts paid in hospital accounts amounted to £2172 16s fid, being an increase over the previous year of £497 15s 3d. . After giving the matter very serious consideration the executive are of opinion that the age of children dependent on the member should ba reduced from 16 years to 14. During the year four new lodges joined the association. In conclusion your executive trust that the work carried out by them will meet with your approval and that the coming year will be a prosperous one for the inembers and the association.