ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 66, 18 March 1915, Page 6

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

GRAND IjODGE SESSION. The thirty-seventh biennial session of the Grand Lodge. 1.0. F., was resumed this morning, the Grand Master, Bro. A. H. Valentine, presiding. 1 Proposed amendments to the constitution, of which due notice had been given, were considered. A proposal to modify the system of absentee voting was defeated, and the present law maintained. A clause was inserted in the constitution whereby financial members of lodges in good standing may become honorary associate mombere of other lodges on payment of a. minimum contribution of ;">/ per annum, and that no asaesement in respect thereto be paid to Grand Lodge. A remit in the direction of reducing the contributions to the members paying on the lowest ecale, and of increasing the number of the graduations throughout the table of fees, was lost, after an interesting debate on the influence of finance on the introduction of new members to the Order. Another remit, recommending that sick benefit* to members he increased to 22/ per week for the first six months, and 1. , ' per week for the second six months, and 7/ per week for any further period; an alternative proposal that £1 per week be paid for the first twelve months, and another that 10/ per week be paid for continued sickness, were considered, and it tras agreed to submit the three propostils to the Registrar, and the executive was empowered to adopt the most favourable of the three, with the approval of the Begietrar. A question of interest to both the male and the female lodges of the Order cropped up. In reply to a question, the G.II. ruled that the D.D.G.M. hae no control over the Lady D.D.G.M. on liebekah lodge matters." The CJ.M.'e ruling wae upheld by the Grand Iyodge in session. Following are the nominations received for Grand Lodge office during the ensuing two years:—Grand Bro. YV\ Hunter. Christchtirch: Deputy Grand Master, Bro. R. Robb (Giabornc); Grand Warden. Bro. E. H. Whitmore (Southland), Bro. C. J. Talbot (Timaru), Bro. M. Hooper (Auckland). Nominations for Grand I>odge office were received, and the cession adjourned for lam-h. The visiting delegates were entertained at a banquet last evening.