FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 224, 22 September 1938, Page 31

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

SOCIAL SECURITY. THE ACT DISCUSSED. ACTIVITIES AMONG THE LODGES. (Ry SCRIBE.) Tin- mh.il meeting of Cordon Tent I.OK wa- held on TuesdHy nijiht. the chief 111:•• i-. Itro. \. Ireland, presiding over a tery f:> ir attendance of officers and niPiiiieis. After the opening eeremnni.v («.. candidates were duly initialed and "el.-.,,ned. In common with cthci lod•.•.•„ many ~f Cordon IVi.t rneiiihcr- a•• "n -iik leave with 'flu and trifn-:.-. init all are reported to lie iii'l' "'"'-■ '"<' i|UHi-trrly report and !<;»f;iti— -licet eliowed the tinaiicc.s to be in a ..itisfactory condition, and the numerical strength lias increased during the p;i-t ipiarter. The juvenile balancepiicet -hnued increases, in finance and nieinliciv-liip. Reports from the howling commuter showed that Cordon A team were in .in unavailable position in the l'ii-e.'c ( up touriu-v. and must again win the Iropliy. \ Covdun team were al-,. runner- up in tin- Kdcußoskill U.S. \. conipi'tiihuis. The new Tent at WlunijMrci. '•I'arahaki." wrote thanking the ttnehiiiioa members for their "reetin?s and good winhr-s. The Onehunga Foresters are to he invited to a bowls ni-lit on September 27. A dir*cus.«ion

took pliH-o ;i< tn tin* ntiinlier of <l<>lcgates to be put to tlio Dwlrict Council meetinjf at Ffiititly in Hip New Year. Remits for consideration «t this niepting are to he f!i«riis>e<l at the mertinjr on October 12, when the repie*»eiit«ti\ es will also he nominated. It was ajrrced to sujjj»oj»t to the district executive that a questionnaire he stthmitted to all candidates for Parliamentary honour* as to their attitude to the Friendly Societies and their determination or otherwise to unpport the same from Government strangulation.

The Loyal Dominion Lodge. M.U. T.0.0.F.. met I««t week under the leadership of the Noble (irand. Bro. Ayson. Three now member* wore initiated with <iue ceremony and received with the honour* of the Order. The financial secretary, Bro. Stubbing. P. 0., reported that the lodge membership now stood at 202. At the conclusion of the business, refreshment* were served and a varied programme of dancing brought an enjoyable evening to a close.

Court City of Auckland. A.0.F., held their tiiual social evening at the conclusion of the quarterly meeting. Game* of various kinds were played, the Ave hundred winner* being Bros. Pratt, Efemore, Hewitt and Matthews.

Enterprise Lodge, No. 80, 1.0.G.T.. met en Thursday evening, a good attendance being presided over by the C.T., Bro. Pact. An official visit was received from the officers and members of Endeavour Lodge, who were given a cordial welcome. The Business was quickly diepatched, and * programme of competitions and item* was*given by the visitors under the direction of their C.T., Sister Cant. There was a v«Ty good attendance at tn#i fortnightly meeting of Myrtle Rebekah Lodge, No. 4, 1.0.0. F., Sister M. Luckhurst, N.G., presiding. Routine business was first dealt with, after which a welcome was extended to the L.D.D.G.M., Sister W. Culpitt, who, accompanied by 100 sieters, was paying an official district visit to the lodge. Sister Culpitt, L.D.D.G.M., and Sister Tailby, P.L.D.D.G.M., were invited to address the meeting, each being well received. The result of the ritual competition was announced and jewel*.were won by the chaplain, Sister Clemen.". R.S.N.G. Sister Battershill (tied with Lily of Devonport), L.S.N.G. Sister Laing, R.S.V.G. Sister Smardon, L.S.V.G. Sister Kearney, ... sen., warden, Sister Pender, conductor, Sitter Barriball. Greetings were received from Clematis, Harmony. Lily of Devonport. Mizpah, Haeata, Lily of Eden, Maungarei, Rebekah Lodges, aleo from two lodges in Australia and the president of the Rebekah Assembly. An apology vis received from Sister Newbold, P.LD.D.G.M. A fine programme, which was thoroughly enjoyed, was presented under the direction of Sister White, P.N.G. of Haeata Lodge. The highlight* of the evening were the sketches presented by the various lodges. "Misery Farm," a very humorous sketch, was given by Myrtle members, and "Nursery Rhymes" by Clematis Lodge. The prise for the best sketch was awarded to Lily of Devonport, who gave the "Huntsman's Chorus." As h the custom with these district visits, the proceeds of the evening were presented to the Noble Grand, who thanked all preeent. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" brought to a close another happy evening.

The f|nestion of the .Social Security Act and Ha effect upon friendly societies is one that is being widely discussed at the present time, in the various lodges. Some authorities see in the Act great danger for the ordera which for so long have filled an important place in the social welfare of such a large number •f people. Many are not quite clear as to the ultimate effect of the enactments, whilst others believe some modifleations are needed. Last week a membsr of the Government, and who has heen a friendly society member for many years, Bro. W. J. Lyon, M.P., of the A.0.P., gave a very interesting address on this subject. His hearers were the members «C the combined Foresters Court on the North Shore (Courts Devonport, Birkenhead and Takapuna) and the meeting was held » the Takapuna Court's lodge room. Bro. E. J. Williams, C.R.. extended a welcome to the speaker and visitors. In his address Bro. Lyon sought to set at rest the fears tha't many had of the lew legislation harming the existing societies. He said the Government intended to utilise the machinery of the friendly societies for the distribution •f the social security benefits to lodge members. Secretaries would receive an adequate remuneration for the extra, work involved. It was also hoped to arrange for the friendly society secretaries to deal with both Government and friendly society member*. The medical certificates issued by both parties would be interchangeable. With the payment made by the. Government •f nfedical and hospital benefits, he thought societies would be able to reduce their fees and that lodge members would receive greater benefits than others. In his opinion the Act would strengthen the societies and increase their usefulness. At the elose of his address, Bro. Lvon answered a number of questions and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. I

uIod L !*m ° f *««*« Lodge, »»«t dance at the condition of their »£? °? W ** n ««i'7 l"t A large SV v, «tor. «„d friend, were fr™l a ' l a l mQ ?S h <"» w». a party tIT r^ U Uku k L and Lod 8 e ' » l 9° member* irom Otahuhu and Newmarket. PA. Bro. Lanjre welcomed the visitor* in a neat speech and P.D.P. Bro. J. Rutledge responded. An excellent orchestra played inviting dance music and the floor was perfect. P.S. Bro. R. Binmore was the MX'., and it is seldom an evening has been so much enjoyed. A tasty supper helped to put the crowning touch on a very happy gathering.