HIBERNIAN BENEFIT SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 65, 16 March 1907, Page 5

HIBERNIAN BENEFIT SOCIETY.

■ The triennial movable meeting of the New Zealand district of the H.A.C.B.S. was continued yesterday, the President (Mr. P. J. Nehereny) in the chair. Executive Retained by Auckland.—Over six hours were occupied in discussing the proposal to remove the district office from Auckland to Wellington. Almost every delegate In the meeting expressed his views on the subject, most of which were a repetition of the views of those who spoke Dn Thursday, with the exception that the question of centralisation was more prominent in the too lengthy debate. During the afternoon, the delegates had their photographs taken, and just before the adjournment for tea the debate was closed, after which Mr. J. J. Callaghan, Wellington, made a spirited reply in defence of the motion.

Before putting the question to ■ a vote, the president stated the executive had invested in property jit Auckland the sum of £6475, and the Government valuation of the same was showing that the money was profitably and wisely invested. Scrutineers were appointed, and the name of each branch was called out, "the representative in response Intimating before the whole meeting how he wished his vote recorded. The president then announced that the district was to be retained by Auckland, the voting being: For removal to Wellington 18, against 36. The result was received with enthusiastic applause. A Defeated Motion.—Bro. G. .T. Sellars, Christchurch, moved that a further sum not exceeding £20, in addition to the £20 now paid on death of a member, the paid said sum to be raised by levy on the members. Bro. J. Callaghan seconded. The motion evoked much discussion, the custom of the Druids' Order being frequently quotedL The motion was lost.

The meeting then adjourned until 0 a-m, next morning.

This moruing the business of the Hibernian Australasian Benefit Society was continued at the Hibernian Hall, Wellingtonsti'eet.

A motion, proposed by .the Christchurch delegate, Bro. E. J. Sellers, which had for its object the abstention of the District Executive officers from voting on the question of its removal of the dirstrict headquarters, was lost on the casting vote of the President. It was decided that rule S should be amended in order to make the branch presidents, branch past presidents, branch, secretary, and branch treasurer eligible for the positions of district officers. The delegate for Christchurch, Bro. E. J. Sellers, wished to have a rule altered so that a uniform rate of contributions and sick and funeral benefits throughout Australasia might be paid. At present the minimum charge per week in New Zealand is 1/1, and the maximum charge 1/4, while in the Australian States contributions are frfos IA to 1/10 per The meeting considered that as local circumstances in New Zealand and Australia were different, it would not be advisable to make the proposed charge, and the motion was lost. It was decided to hold tbe next triennial movable meeting at Wellington. For the hospitality accorded to the delegates, the Auckland Branch was ordered to be presented with a formal copy of the photographs of the delegates attending that conference by the district executive.

On the motion of Bro. M. J. Sheahan, seconded hy Bro. G. S. Sellers, Christchurch, it was decided to cable the following resolution to Mr J. Devlin, M.P. for West Belfast:—"That the New Zealand District Board of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society, at its triennial movable meeting now sitting In Auckland, at which are assembled delegates from all parts of the colony, desires to place on record Its hearty appreciation of the arduous and successful labours throughout New Zealand on behalf of Ireland by Messrs oJseph Devlin, M-.P., for West Belfast, and Mr John T Donovan, LL.B. TEe result of the mission of the Irish envoys has been to dispel many If not all of the slanders continuously levelled against Ireland and its people. For this we are deeply grateful to the envoys, and heartily congratulates them." It was decided to ask the bishops of New Zealand to become honorary chief chaplains of the society In their respective diocese. Mr J Corbett, vice-president, was elected district president; vice-president, Bro. E. Dane; district secretary, Bro. W. J—ine; district treasurer, Bro. M. J. Sheahan; district past president. Bro. P, 3. Nerheny; district audi. tors, Bros. P. J. O'lteart and. J. _VJEL Stead.