MAJORITY REPORT. 
30 
1926, when they will be replaced by new schemes operating 
generally until July, 1931. The schemes of the latter group 
came into force in July, 1925, and will expire in July, 1930. 
Thus, at the moment there are two sets of schemes in 
operation, covering different periods, and the terms of the 
two groups of schemes and the conditions enunciated in their 
schedules relating to the treatment benefits are not strictly 
comparable. In the later schemes efforts have been made to 
remove certain difficulties, and to avoid certain undesirable 
features which presented themselves in the actual working of 
the schemes. The details and figures hereinafter referred to 
are those applicable for the most part to the schemes as in 
operation in the year 1924. A scheme of additional benefits 
is contingent on the realisation of a disposable surplus by an 
Approved Society at one of the periodic valuations of assets and 
liabilities conducted by the Government valuers. A society 
which finds itself in this position may frame a scheme of addi- 
tional benefits to be provided out of the surplus and submit it 
to the Department for approval. The schemes are applicable 
to all members of the society of five years standing and are 
current generally for a period of five years. So far as the scheme 
provides for an increase in the normal cash benefits, it is 
administered by the Approved Society as part of its normal work. 
In the case of those schemes which aim at providing treatment 
for the members, the arrangements for making payment in 
respect of the provision of the services covered by the scheme 
are made by the society either directly or through the agency 
of some institution or organisation. The member makes his 
application to the society, and receives his document of title 
stating the amount which the society will pay in respect of the 
particular service required. 
78. It is important to observe that the additional benefits 
referred to consist not in the provision of treatment, services or 
appliances but in payment of the whole or part of their cost, 
as is indicated in the statutory description of the benefits. Sub- 
section 5 of Section 75 of the Act provides, that ‘‘ Additional 
benefits shall be administered by the society or branch . . 
except that where the benefits are in the nature of medical 
benefit, they shall be administered by and through the Insur- 
ance Committee.” Though the construction to be put upon 
the words ‘‘ where the benefits are in the nature of medical 
benefit >’ is not free from difficulty, the Departmental view, 
taken under legal advice, has been that any additional benefit 
which involves mere payment of money is not an additional 
benefit in the nature of medical benefit, notwithstanding that 
the money may go to secure service of a medical nature. 
79. Whilst expressing no opinion on this point we think that 
it is highly desirable that the organisation of services which are