FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 238, 8 October 1936, Page 19

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

GRAND LODGE VISIT.

JUVENILE ANNIVERSARY.

(By SCRIBE.)

HEALTH SCHEMES.

The Temple of the Kings, 1.0. G.T., leld a very successful gathering on Monday evening last to celebrate its fourth anniversary. Quite a large Jiuruber of parents and friends were, in attendance to see how the young people conducted tjieir business, and to enjoy a programme afterwards. Sister A. 3Iolfoid; C.T., presided and conducted in a very able manner. An official-.reception was given to Bio. Tac®; grand superintendent of juvenile and "Sister Cant, district superintendent. : Bro. Pace was invited to conduefc'the meeting bv the superinteiident, Sister X. Gallagher. One new member •was-' initiated, the ceremony beuig carried out in a manner which called forth much praise from the visitors, every one of the juvenile officers doing •their part well. Congratulations and greetings were conveyed from the Grand Chief Templar, Endeavour Enterprise and Penrose Lodges and Temples, and Bro. Chadderton. G.S.E.W.; The visiting officers gave ghort addresses of helpful advice, and a ■very enjoyable programme of items was given. Supper was then served and "brought a very pleasant and success!u evening to an end. Sister X. Gallagher, the superintendent of this temple, is o lie congratulated upon the splendid pi ogress '"made and upon the excellen "behaviour of the members. The esteem -in which she is held was shown during "the evening, when a very nice inii ■dish and a handsome bouquet were pi e sented fo her on ' behalf of ie members. Sister Cant, D.S.J.W., "was also .the recipient of a fragrant bouqu of spring flowers. • The - Youthful Enterprise Juvenile Temple, 1.0. G.T., met on Thursday evening, a good attendance being presided, over, by the C.T. Sister D. Grant. lhe ordinary business was well conductec, and a welcome extended to the visitois, including. Sister X. Gallagher, supei-intendant-of Temple of the Kings. I> c programme for the evening took the form of a surprise item night. Most or tie children took part and some reailj good talent came to light. The pnze i(ir the lucky item was won by Bro. W • large. • » • ♦ Sis. F. Higgins, X.G., presided over tte usual meeting of Maungarei 3?ebekah Lodge. T.0.0.F., a fair number of members being in attendance. Ihe business was efficiently dealt with, and ®iie new member initiated, thus adding the steady progress of the lodge. All interesting feature of the evening was % presentation of a Past Grand collar *9 Bro. W. Sutton, P.G., pree.ptor of the lodge, on behalf of the mem be rs, and from the Epsom Lodge. In making the presentation Bro. W. Bond. P. 0., Inferred to the willing assistance Bro. Stitton had always so freely given to tte Maungarei, sisters, who wished to their appreciation of his- services. fj? o * Sutton suitably replied. The evening closed with slipper, followed ..by a Jfleasant social hour.

"the Enterprise Lodge; Xo. 80, 1.0. G.T., Jield an open meeing on Thursday last, "a fair number of visitors and members gathering to hear a most interesting talk by Mr. R. A. Falla, the well-known naturalist. The speaker kept his audience keenly interested, as lie spoke of the different New Zealand birds and gave examples of their calls. He also told, of some of his experiences in the Antarctic as a member of Sir Douglas Mawson s expedition. A very hearty vote of thanks was 'accorded Mr. Falla at the close. Supper was then handed round, and after the visitors liad left a brief lod"e session was held. Two new members were initiated and welcomed. Bro. German was reported to be in a serious condition*'and had been visited 011 behalf of the lodge. The rest of the business was dealt with and lodge closed, after arrangements had been made for a display by the gymnasium of 21st Battery next week.

The Star of Newmarket .Lodge, U.A.0.D., met on Wednesday evening in the Council Chambers lodge room, - the Arch Druid Bro. J. Polkinghorne, presiding over a large attendance of. members and visitors. Among the latter was the district president, Bro._ Cardwell. who congratulated the lodge upon its n-ood progress. One new member received his initiation into the mystic rites of Druidism, the ceremony a most impressive one. Bro. 'J avlor received a warm welcome • after' a long .illness and thanked the brethren- for their kindness to him-during.his absence, especially the sick visitor, Bro., _W. Smart. The harmony session was given over to the singing competition for the silver championship medal. P.D.P. Bro. Potter presided and 12 entries were received. After a close contest, P.A. Bro. Page was declared tlje winner. The usual refreshments were enjoyed, and all present spent a very happy evening. » ♦ * *

Tile Awanui Foresters had a verylarge attendance on Thursday last when tlieV tendered", a social evening to kindred societies, including the Kaitaia M.U. 1.0.0. F. Lodge, Koa Rebekah 1.0.0.1'., ami Xortliern Star, 1.0.0. F. Bro. E. I*. Birt welcomed the visitors, and expressed the hope that they would have a happv evening together. Dancing took place to the inviting strains <?f the Ritz Orchestra, whilst at intervals songs were rendered by Miss E. Geard and Mr. O. Beck, and violin solos by Mr. H. Timbers. The Awanui Foresters lived up to their reputation for hospitality by providing a very nice supper, , thus putting the crowning touch upon a very successful evening.

The last meeting of Loyal Good Intent Lod"e, M.U.1.0.0.F., took the form of a reception to the G.M., Bro. S. Eade, and his officers. Invitations had been extended to all sister lodges, and they all responded well, with the result that the attendance was very large. Representatives were present from Waimauku, Richmond, Dominion, Mount Albert, ' Vvoiulale, Ponsonbv, St. Heliei s, Paviiell, Pupuke and Manurewa Lodges. One new member was initiated in good stvle and welcomed. The G.M. gave a stirring address to the members 011 the activities of the order in the Auckland district, pointing out that the success of the society depended upon the sustained efforts of'the individual members. The entertainment arrangements were in the capable hands of Bro. J. Gialiam, w ho soon had the floor cleared for dancing and games, supper being served during'an interval.

The Epsom Lodge, Xo. SB, 1.0.0. F. J met on Tuesday evening, Bio. H. O. Mancy, X.G., presiding over a fair attendance of members. One new member received liis initiation into the privileges of Oddfellowship, the ceremony being carried out in a dignified and impressive manner. The lodge was honoured with' a visit from two brethren from Hutt Vallev, Wellington, Bro. Burgh, D.D.G.M.," and Bro. Rule, P.DD.G.M. These received a warm welcome, and suitably replied. After the business had been dealt with, the evening closed with some keen games of bowls.

The Controller of the Insurance Department of the British Ministry of Health (Sir Walter Kinnear) said recently: "After the long and successful struggle of the friendly societies to place themselves upon a sound financial foundation, and thereby win an honourable and abiding place in British history, it was not surprising that the advent of the national health insurance scheme should be received by them with misgivings, and regarded by many as an unfair encroachment upon the Held covered by the friendly societies. But the very success of the friendly society movement threw into bold relief the fact that the friendly societies were really not able to attract the weaker and more helpless elements in the industrial population, with the result that the field was not entirely covered. The class which most needed social protection could not afford if, and the class that could afford it was not in need of the same measure of protection. The alliance "between the State insurance scheme -and ' the voluntary bodies throughout; the country by the formation of separate but allied State approved societies was', in his opinion, a stroke of genius. It was characteristically British. It was not logical and was open to serious objection, but applying the acid test, it worked, and a happy partnership had grown up, each side respecting and helping the other. A keen student of social service, writing recently, said: "There is lio evidence that the advent of State schemes had led to a slacking of individual effort to provide against the chances and changes of life." That was a gratifying, and, he thought, a true statement. The vast amount of social work which had been done in Great Britain during the past •2.-) years through a happy combination of statutory and voluntary social agencies had unquestionably saved the people'from destitution and demoralisation. Xo Other country in the world had social services comparable, with Great Britain." They were a triumph of self-help and wisely-directed State initiative, and in combination they constituted a formidable bulwark against the forces of unrest so prevalent in other countries.