KINDRED CLUBS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19671, 15 July 1929, Page 5

KINDRED CLUBS.

CONFERENCE OF ASSOCIATION. SECOND 81-ANNUAL GATHERING. The second bi-annual conference of the Association of Kindred Clubs of NewZealand was held on Saturday in the Hbrarv of the Chamber of Commerce. In the opening portion of the proceedings, Bro. G. M. Smith, president of the Christchurch Savage Club, was m the chair. The Delegates. The following delegates were present: Viee-Preaident, Norman Heath, Birkenhead and Northcote Orphans' Club; viee-Rangitira, W. H. V. Taine; Auckland Savage Club; Savage L. E. Bernazoni, Invereargill Orphans' Club; Great Chief L. J. Williamson and ex-Chief H. J. Washer, South Canterbury Savage Club; Great Chief E. Mee, Oamaru Savage Club; Savage J. D. Hutchinson, Carterton Savage Club; Secretary Chas. Adair, Gisborne Savage Club; Past President T. W. Dobbie, Dunedin Orphans' Club; Secretary E. W. Rivers, Hastings Orphans' Club; Life member J. Fraser Thomson, Wellington Orphans' Club; Chief Savage A. E. Eenouf, Napier Savage Uub; Warrior Stanley Smith, Waimate Savage Club; Savage H. C. Foster (Waimate and Wellington Savage Clubs); President G. M. Smith, exPresident G. M. Ha.ll, Hon. Treasurer W. J. le Cren, Savage H. H. Hanna, Savage C. G. Curtis, Savage H. If. Bannehr (representing Palmerston North Savage Club) Christchurch Savage Club; Great Chief A. H. Todd, Ashbarton Savage Club; Vice President Association of Kindred Clubs C. E. Jones; and Hon.-General Secretary and Treasurer A. E. Loach. Civic Reception. At 10 a.m. the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) and tha Town Clerk (Mr J. S. Neville) attended and were welcomed by the chairman, who said that Mr Archer, in every sense of the word, was a true Savage. (Applause.) He did not mean that in any other way than what he intended. The Mayor, in extending a wejcome to delegates from outside Christchurch, said that in the name "Savage" there was a suggestion of a great scientific truth—that there were remnants of the savage in all, and that it was quite easy to lapse into savagery. It had been suggested that there was a bit of the savage in the Mayor of Christchurch — of eourse it was a libel. (Laughter.) They had been reading probably, the book, "All Quiet on the Western Front" and they knew that the writer pointed out how sometimes in the heat of war there was a great tendency to lapse into the animal state and to forget humanism and patriotism and rely on the principle of "Kill or be killed." But even amongst savages they had to cultivate the higher instincts, and he realised that while, primarily, the clubs met for social purposes, they rendered quite definite service to the community. , They had in Christchurch, as in other i parte of the country, proofs of the kindly and charitable spirit possessed and put into operation, by members of Savage Clubs. He was sure that, at a I time like the present, when they were I trying to do something to help their I friends on the West Coast, who had suffered through the recent frightful disaster, they and their fellow members ; were doing their share in that work. Christchureh, Mr Archer continued, was supposed to be an English city, but the | English settlers found to their chagrin | that Scotsmen were in possession. [A delegate: And still arel] (Laughter.) I He often wondered why the Scottish did not have the bull-dog for their national emblem, for when a Scotsman got hold he kept hold. (Laughter.) He was convinced that a Scotsman had selected the motto for the City of Christchurch —"Britons Hold Your Own." Historically, he understood that the motto was chosen by Englishmen, but he did not tee why one should be influenced by history, when it was contrary to one's opinions. Although he was an Englishman, he did not believe that an Englishman was so mentally constituted as to be able to think out sueh a motto. On behalf of the citizens he extended a hearty welcome to the delegates. The chairman, on behalf of the Christchurch Savage Club, also extended a welcome to "the most beautiful City in the Dominion," and conveyed the thanks of the conference to the Mayor for his welcome. The Mayor and Town Clerk then withi drew. The secretary announced that owing to illness the president, Mr J. D. Crawford, Auckland, was unable to be present. The vice-president, Mr C, E. Jones, took the chair. The' chairman expressed his pleasure at seeing such a fine muster, and said that almost every club was represented. They were exceedingly sorry that Bro. Crawford was not with them. Second Beport. The second report set out that tha activities of the Association had been successful and its existence had been fully justified. An The affiliated elubs numbered 40, and comprised 22 Orphans' and 18 Savage Clubs, with an aggregate membership Of 8000. An Orphans' Club was instxtuted at St. Heliers (Tamaki Club), in 1928. and Savage Clubs at Oamaru and Wanganui this eeason. The Association was able to give assistance_ m the formation of these clubs. Presidential and secretarial visits and calls had been made where possible, and Jiro. i. W. Dobbie and Savage C. E. Jones had been active in taking part in meetings and koreros. Musical and recital exchanges had been effected, as well as Press cuttings, meeting cards, and other items of club interest. The Association's thanks were due to the Auckland Orphans' Club for the arrangements for the conference in 1927 and the entertainment of the delegates; and to the Poneke Tribe (Wellington) for their assistance to the executive and general committee meetings last year. The committee placed on record appreciation of the hearty support accorded bv all clubs to the objects of the Association, and the cordial co-operation of club secretaries. . . The chairman moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, and said that they called for little comment, as matters were fully set forth. The report showed that the Association had been active since the previous confere3Bro. Heath seconded the motion, which was agreed to. j

Rules Amended. The rules of the Association were agreed to, after a full discussion. The name was amended to read the Association of Kindred Clubs of .New Zealand (Orphan and Savage). It.was decided that the Association should be incorporated. The objects were adopted as follows: The Association exists:—(a) For the purpose of creating * bond of union between all Orphan and Savage Clubs in the Dominion of New Zealand who ara willing to affiliate and are acceptable to the Association. (b) For the purpose of establishing an harmonious

. relationship between club secretaries. : in order to advise and assist in the transi fer of club members. i..;;. For the purI pose of promoting inter-club and fraternal visits and generally for the advancement- of Orphandom and Savagery." The management of the Association was placed in the hands of an executive, consisting of u president, three vicepresidents, and a general secretary and treasurer, retiring presidents to remain ex officio members of the executive. The rule providing for the finance of the Association caused discussion, the question of the usefulness of the Association being raised. While th'" 1 p:neral opinion of delegates was that the Association was fulfilling an important part in connexion with Savage and Orphan-' Clubs, it was emphasised that some club committees were inclined, when scrutinising expenditure, to ask what benefit was derived from the Association. Several delegates spoke of the assistance given by the Association. In place of the levy of £1 Is annually on each club, it was decided that j the levy should be 7s 6d for each 50 or nearest 50 members. Transfer of Members. The rule regarding the transfer or members caused much discussion. It centred round a remit from the Dunedin Orphans'' Club, which proposed that it should be obligatory on any affiliated club to accept a member of any other affiliated club on transfer. The rule, j as proposed, provided that a member on transfer "may be admitted as a member of sueh other club for the remainder of the season." The Dunedin remit desired that the member on transfer "shall be deemed . . . to be a duly elected member" of the club to which he is transferred. Bro. Dobbie, in moving the remit, urged that a member of a Savage or Orphans' Club in one district should be acceptable as a member of a club in any centre of the Dominion. In the ease of clubs with a waiting list, his opinion was that a member on transfer should take precedence of those on the waiting list Bro. Foster said the Wellington Savage Club was opposed to the remit as it might have to take into their hapu a person not acceptable. The Association had no right to say to a club, which had rules and regulations regarding membership, that it must accept a member on transfer from another club. The chairman said it would be a very dangerous thing to make, it mandatory. It might lead to some dubs resigning from the Association. Bro. Renouf suggested that the difficulty could be got over by exempting from the operation of the remit clubs that have a waiting list. Bro. Dobbie said that his instructions were 'definite not to alter the wording of the remit to make it optional. The desire of the Dunedin Orphans' Club was to extend the brotherhood and he felt that each individual delegate agreed with the principle underlying the remit. The secretary said that the remit had not been received in time for distribution to the affiliated clubs, and had not been discussed by them. He suggested that the remit should be held over till the next conference. Bro. Dobbie agreed to this, and the remit was held over. The rule as proposed was agreed to. Other rules, of a machinery character, were adopted. Officers Elected. ! The election of officers resulted: — President, Bro. C. E. Jones; viee-presi-dents, Bros. E. C. T. Evans (Dunedin), Charles Adair (Gisborne), and T. Garland (Auckland); honorary general secretary and treasurer, Bro. A. E. Loach; auditor, Bro. A. B. Sherris (Christchureh). Other Matters. Bro. Eenouf proposed, and it was agreed, "That in future the conference be held towards the end of August." The Manawatu Savage Club invited the Association to hold its conference in 1931 in Palmerston North. Bro. Bannehr moved, "That the Manawatu Club's invitation be accepted." An invitation was also received from the South Canterbury Savage Club to hold the conference in Timaru, and an amendment to that effect was proposed. The chairman said he thought the next conference would, have to be held in tho North Island. The amendment was withdrawn, and the motion was agreed to. Papers were read on "The Origin and Growth of Orphandom," by the chairman, and on "The Obligations and Duties of Orphans and Savages," by Bro. C. E. Archibald (Takapuna Orphans), read by Savage H. H. Hanna. Votes of thanks were accorded the authors and to the reader. A number of votes of thanks were passed, including one to the chairman, which was accompanied by the singing of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow." This concluded the business of the conference. New President Installed. Delegates were the guests of the Christchureh Savage Club at afternoon tea at Dixieland. At this function, over which Savage G. M. Smith, president of the club, presided, the new president, Savage C. E. Jones, of the Association of Kindred Clubs, was duly installed. Bro. Dobbie pinned the insigna of office on the lapel of the president's coat, and delivered an appropriate address. Savage G, M. Hall, immediate past president of the Christchureh Savage Club, congratulated the new president. The president briefly acknowledged the good wishes expressed, and said that the conference indicated that the Association was making strides and was getting out of its infancy. Stones were told by Bro. Renouf (Great Chief of the Napier Club), who gavo a Maori's description of his experiences when attending the Coronation of King Edward VII; Bro. Norman Heath, Savage Rev. Gardner Miller, and Savage Taine. Savage Densem, who joined the Dunedin Savage Club in 1885, was introduced as the oldest living Savage in New Zealand.