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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 320, 4 July 1889, Page 2

The annual report on Friendly Societies, which was placed before Parliament last week, conveys an impression of a most unpleasant nature, but it may do a great amount of good by engaging the attention of those who are best able to afford a remedy for the grave defects complained ofThe Registrar asserts that of the members of Friendly Societies some are too careless of the future to be interested in the solvency of their Lodges, while others are deceived by misrepresentations. The true index to a Society's position is said to be by valuation. The report goes on to say Of the 13 central bodies 8 hold accumulated benefit funds, and of these 8, 1 shows a surplus and 6 a deficiency. Of these 6, in regard to 3 “ inadequate contributions ” is assigned as the sole cause, and in regard to 3 as one of the causes of such deficiency. Of the 161 branches of the 13 central bodies 39 show a surplus and 102 a deficiency. Of these 102, in regard to 18 " inadequate contributions "(is assigned as the sole cacse, and in regard to 76 as one of the causes of snch deficiency. In 7of the 39 which show a surplus in respect of the branch benefit fund, such surplus is more than swallowed up by the deficiency in the central body. Of the funeral fund of the 11 separately registered lodges 1 shows a surplus and 10 a deficiency. Of these 10, in regard to 7 inadequate contributions ” is assigned as the sole cause, and in regard to 3 as one of the causes of such deficiency,