THE STANDING OF THE I.O.O.F.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 162, 9 July 1907, Page 7

THE STANDING OF THE 1.0.O.F.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —My attention has been directed to a letter in the " Star " of June 20, over the pen name "inquirer," the writer of which seeks for information. While I do not think he is actuated so much, by a thirst for knowledge as by a desire to have a "fling" at a society which, during the forty years of its existence in this colony, has been subject to a considerable amount of animadversion at the hands of members of other societies, I will endeavour to satisfy him. It is not el-aimed for the 1.0.0-F. in America, that their financial methods are such as can be commended; it must be remembered, however, that the Order in America is not so much a mere benefit society as one of a national and social character. While the funds are not claimed to be actuarially sound, they nave stood the teat for ninety-two years, and it has never been on record that any member of this great organisation has sought his just dues, and sought them in vain; while the benefactions of the society whenever any national calamity such as the Mississippi floods, the Chicago fire, the San Francisco earthquake required its aid are inscribed in letters of gold, on the hearts of the nation. The society is composed of all ranks of the people, and in the lodges the statesman, the professional man, the artisan and labourer sit aide by side, and. if any claim was made that could not be provided out of the funds of any lodge, the whole resources of the Order would be available. While the financial position of the Order in America may be subject to : criticism it is recognised, and your cori respondent, if %. student of Friendly Society literature, should be aware of it; the L0.0.F. is the soundest in Australasia. (I might say en passant, that while bound by the closest ties of fraternity, we are in New Zealand and Australia entirely independent of the parent body, excepting as regards ritual, pass words, etc; no dues are exacted, and financially, we have entire : freedom of control).. The latest figures show that the membership in Australasia is 27,459, with total benefit funds amounting to £ 336,720, equal to £12 5/ per capita. In New Zealand the membership is 3598, with funds £59443, or £16 odd per capita; the last valuation of the 1.0.0. F. in New Zealand showed a surplus, £7539 in the centra] funeral fund; there were total surpluses of £7998 in eighteen lodges, while the two lowest deficiency lodges showed assets to liabilities of nearly 17/ in the £, the others varying from 17/6 to 19/10 per £1. The registrar's report on the other hand gives shocking examples of whole districts of other societies, which unless better financial methods are adopted are drifting into hopeless insolvency. It is a matter of little moment, but I would point out to "Inquirer" that the figures he quotes are wrong. The membership of the L0.0.F. is 1,278,065, with total funds of £8,358,151, or a per capita value of £6 10/, instead of £4 13/4 aa quoted by him.—Yours, etc, WM. REID, Grand Secretary, 1.0.0. F. of New Zealand. Bunedrn, July 1, 1907.