MANCHESTER UNITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 90, 16 April 1940, Page 8

MANCHESTER UNITY.

DELEGATES TO MEET. GATHERING AT AUCKLAND. ■ NEW LEGISLATION AND WAR. The influence of the war and social security will figure largely in the discussions at the ninety-second conference of the Auckland District M.U., 1.0.0. F. (N.Z.), whicli will open in the Unity Hall, Hobson Street, to-morrow morning. There will be 100 delegates present, these representing the 78 lodges between Gisborne, Taumarunui and Kaitaia comprising the Auckland district, in which there are 10,000 adult members. Bro. W. F. Bates, District Grand Master, will preside over the conference and the delegates will be accorded a civic reception by the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, at 10 &.m.

In his review of the year's operations to be placed before delegates, Mr. Bates states that there has been no increase in membership during the year, when social socurity was brought into further use. "We were just beginning to overcome the difficulties and misunderstandings in regard to the legislation and our membership when war was declared," ha said. "It was decided to stop all initiations for a period which lasted about three months. Then it was decided to admit new members up to 18 years of ag« and from 46 upwards, that restriction being for male members, there being no restrictions on the admission of female members.

"Taking all things into consideration the result of tlia year's work has been «atisfactory. It behoves all members to be up and doing, as the lifeblood of our order is new members. Further, the directors are considering a new rule covering the admission of male members of a war age."

The membership competition resulted: Lodges over 200 members, Duke of Cambridge, increase 2.94 per cent; under 200 member*, Haur&ki Lodge, increase 1-28 per cent.

The following benefit* were paid during the year:—Sick pay, £16,503 7/7; medical benefits, £13,477 IS/7; hospital benefits, £3311 13/4; maternity allowances, £2616; annuity allowances, £39 1/5; widows' medical benefits, £164 18/6; distress gifts, £37 18/3; funeral benefits, £1803; total, £39,953 12/8. Mr. Bates says that a juvenile lodge had been opened at Putaruru, but arrangements that had been made to open a new lodga at Kaikohe had been cancelled owing to the war. The management committee has recommended to the conference that the sum of £250 saved per year by discontinuing publication of the handbook during the war be applied to a war expenses account, from which refunds would be made of the manageme.nt contributions of members serving in the military forces in excess of the amount received from the society fund, as well as the medical contributions of married serving members. A recommendation h*s Also been irade that no district conference be held in 1941 to conserve funds.