ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3630, 14 August 1880, Page 3

ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

The Globe, speaking on this subject, says:—The morement which is now being made in the direction of the establishment of an association welding together as it were all the Friendly Societies in Can* terbury, is one which deserres the support not aione of those more directly interested, but of the general public. It cannot be denied for one moment that these societies do a great work in the communities in which they are. Not only do they teach men the great lessons of thrift and frugality, but they also step in when sickness would probably render individuals burdens on the Stat<s and thus lighten the amount of taxation. Therefore it is that, even outside the members themselves, the project we hare referred to of uniting in one association the various orders for the common good, is something which deserves the support of all who can render any assistance to ■sake the movement a success. Each and all of the Societies have the same end and object in view, but are seeking to attain it by different routes. This Association does not propose to change the existing order of things in this respect. The objects sought to be gained arejmutual benefit, by bringing the different orders info closer relationship with each other and the establishment of a scheme of Mutual Life Assurance and a Dispensary for the members of Friendly Societies. With respect to the scheme of Life Assurance, the details of that have still to be .worked o^. and it remains to be seen what amounVof support will be accorded to it by the members themselves. But the Jroject for a Dispensary is nothing new. t has been established elsewhere in the colonies most successfully, and if brought in here will greatly increase the power for good of the Friendly Societies. It will enable the various orders to reduce their scales of fees, because their medical feee will be reduced, and thereby they will draw in many who now are outside, owing to inability to make the payments.