THE FORESTERS' CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6626, 17 December 1886, Page 3

THE FORESTERS' CONFERENCE.

1..—858 ASSOCIATION TBI—GBA—t]. WELLINGTON, December 16. The Foresters' Committee appointed to consider contributions, clearances, sick pay, and benefits, recommended that payments to sick and funeral fund be—lß to 25 years, per lunar month, Sa 2d ; 35 to 30, 2s 64; 85 to 40, 4a; also, that it is desirable that the laws (where necessary) be altered so that members of Courts in New Zealand shall be enabled to join any other Court in New Zealand by clearance without paying an increase to the former rate of contribution. The question of arrangement of terms of acceptance be further left over. Further that this scale apply to all present members, as at age they joined the Order. The following scale of sick benefits was also recommended:—After a membership of six months, half benefits; after twelve montha, 203 for twenty-six weeks, and a further twenty-six weeks at 10b, and if illness continues, further sums of 5b at long aa member is Bick; also, that all Districts and Courts allow funeral benefits of —20 to free members, -610 to free member's wife; half free members to receive half benefite. That the time of responsibility ef Courts during members' cle_ranees shall be twelve months, which must be adopted by all Courts. That matter, relative to clearances from other colonu. and tbe United Kingdom be left to each particular District and Court. The report of the Committee was adopted, the recommendation referring to tuneial benefits being amended, so that members receive £10 on account of the death of a second wife. Mr Gapes, District Secretary for Canterbury, was asked to issue a circular to all districts and Courts in New Zealand, asking them to cooperate in the establishment of a fidelity fund. In regard to tbe question of the establishment of a subsidiary High Court, a resolution was carried that in the opinion of the Conference it is desirable to form a Final Appeal Committee in New Zealand to hear appeals, and that districts in the colony shall, at their annual meetings, elect a member who shall be a past or present district officer to act on tae same. It was also resolved that a clearance fee shall be paid by the Court granting clearance to the Court accepting clearance at same rate for tge as in initiation fees. "It was further resolved that all districts adopt a uniform mode of acceptance of clearances viz., that the Court be allowed to accept clearances on and after the night of the opening of the Court; that acceptances of members' clearances over forty years of age be left for the respective districts themselves to determine; carried. That a requisition be drafted and furnistied to districts for signature, and when duly Bigned the Premier be requested to introduce a Bill to amend the Friendly Societies Act principally in the direction of furnishing returns. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.