ODDFELLOWS’ LODGES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 137, 22 March 1935, Page 6

ODDFELLOWS’ LODGES

THE INDEPENDENT ORDER. THE GRAND MASTER’S VISIT. ADDRESS IN ASHBURTON. The Grand Master for New Zealand of the Independent Order of Oddfellows (Bro. A. J. Guy, of Auckland), paid his first official visit to the Canterbury Central District yesterday, and was entertained last evening at a social held in the Tancred Street Hall.

Complete arrangements had been made by the Hakatere and Daphne ’Lodges, and a pleasant time was spent by a large number of Oddfellows and their invited friends. TJie lodges represented were Hakatere, Daphne, Wakanui, Rakaia and Edith Cavell (Rakaia). The Grand Master was introduced by Bro. B. Coward (Grand Marshal), after which a welcome was extended by Bro. H. C. Preston, D.D.G.M., and Sister J. Turnbull, L.D.D.G.M. Bro. G. Fowke (Grand Lodge representative) also spoke. The Grand Master said he was pleased to note that so many young people were joining the Order. He appealed to them to appreciate the value of the ritual and for what it stood. While he did not wish to flatter the Central Canterbury lodges, he was compelled to say that lie had never seen a better example of Oddfellowship. ' Later he spoke of the national insurance scheme as suggested by the British Medical Association, and said that if this were to come into operation it would mean the closing of the lodges. His opinion was that it had to come, and. possibly at no distant date. This very important matter was to be considered by Grand Lodge. Bro. Guy also dealt with the question of unemployment, and said he had been struck with the small appeal that hacl been made to the Grand Lodge Unemployment Fund from the district. It was evident that the members were assisting those in need and that they were self-reliant. In this connection he had told the city lodges that they were fortunate in having such good country lodges. He congratulated the lodges on the sound financial position of the Friendly Societies’ Dispensary and also congratulated the Ashburton lodges on the splendid hall they had for their meetings and the conditions under which they had tenure. Ihe district, he said, was very fortunate in having such capable executive officers. Bro. Guy was then introduced to the members present, after which the social was continued, the music for the dancing being supplied by Mrs A. Mitchell’s orchestra. Vocal solos were given by Miss N. Bishop and Mr W. Corbett, and national dances by Miss M. .Miller. The Grand Master left for Temuka this morning.