JUBILEE OF LODGE

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 144, 14 March 1932, Page 5

JUBILEE OF LODGE

Oddfellows at Petone YEARS OF PROGRESS For the jubilee celebrations of the Loyal Petone Lodge of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows, there was an attendance of three hundred people, drawn from all parts of the Wellington district, in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Petone, last Saturday night. Bro. A. J. B. Foote, N.G., presided. Among the visitors present were: Bro. H. R. John-* son, P.G., Bro. H. M. Quigley, G.M., Bro. A. G. Shrimptoii, G.S., Mr. Walter Nash, M.P.. and Mr. D. McKenzie, mayor of Petone, and Bro. J. Wright, "a foundation member of the lodge in 1882. A birthday cake made by Mrs. Rushton, and having’so lighted candles, was cut by Sister K. Wilson. As indicating the progress of the lodge it was stated that in 1891 there’ were 79 ’ members, and a deficiency of £lO7O. In 1925 the membership had increased to 151, and there was a surplus of £1307. The total worth of the lodge in 1883 was 42 members, with funds amounting to £53/1/10; By 1932 the membership had increased to 203, and the funds t0£7777„ 0/2. The amounts paid in sick pay and funeral benefits to Loyal Petone Lodge members to the present are £5500 and £lOOO respectively. As showing the interest of lodge members in civic affairs, it was remarked that three of the five mayors Petone has had were members of the lodge. . They were: Bros. S. R. Johnson,.R. Mothes, and G. T. London. The Human Outlook. Responding to the toast of “The Manchester Unity,” Bro. H. M. Quigley; G.M.,,said that New Zealand, along with other countries of. the world, was in a very strained position. There was a great deal of economic distress and suffering. It would be impossible to bring all. people together until all hearts were made to beat in unison. All financial institutions were trying, to. put their finances, in order, but he thought they were going about it in the wrong way. If they looked at the human side first they would get on much better. To-day there was a big war going on in the world, bigger than ever before —-a class war. Even in New Zealand the wolf was at the'door of many people. Yet the barns were overflowing with food and other 1 things. In this state of things the Manchester Unity could not stand aside, but had a duty to help make things better. Bro. A. G. Shrimpton. who also responded, said that in the Manchester Unity -there was also the ‘ spirit of imperialism, which permeated the British Empire. Any tongue, colour, or creed was admitted to the order. The order had grown in New Zealand from a few members in 1842 and a few shillings of a balance, until, to-day it numbered its membership in thousands, and its assets in millions of pounds. The Manchester Unity was by far the largest and the wealthiest of the friendly societies. So economically was the order run, that the whole costs only represented 23d. a week a member. So far as loyalty was concerned, there were no more loyal citizens to be found anywhere than were to be found within the confines of a lodge. Financial Relief. In responding to the toast of the “Wellington District. M.U.,” Bro. Brown, D.D.G.M.. stressed the favourable arrangement the order had with the hospitals, and he. also stated that arrangements had been made for ithose unable to pay their fees to remain on the lodge books for one year without cost. Proposing the toast of “The Loyal Petone Lodge,” Bro. F. Dennes, D.G.M., mentioned that a branch had recently been opened at Meera, and was already operating. *. Responses were made by Bro. A. J. B. Foote, N.G., Bro. V. A. Noble. P.G., and Bro. O. P. Brockelbank, P.D.G.M.

Replying to the toast of “The Borough the mayor, Mr. D.- McKenzie, said that if ever there should bo a national day it should be one commemorating the landing of the pioneer settlers on Petone beach. He thought, also, that there should be a - talkie film made telling of the experiences of the fast fading band of early settlers, to be kept as a permanent record. Parliament, said 1 Mr. Walter Nash, M.P., in reply. to. Bro. E. W. Guise’s toast of “Parliament." was still the best form of government in the world—better than all the dictatorships. “While they make mistakes (and they have never done anything that I want them to do). I question whether you can find any other eighty men keener to make things better. The work the members do outside in their constituencies and among individuals is worth every penny it costs the country.- The essential work that is done by members outside the House could not be done with less members covering larger areas. If ’ there is any legitimate criticism that may be levelled at members, it may be that they have no conscious purpose. There is too much drift. They have failed to secure a distribution of the benefits of this country equitably. “Those who talk about Parliament should know what it is they are talking abount. The actions of the Government are not the actions of Parliament. The recommendations of the Economy and other commissions are not the work of Parliament. Don’t criticise the Government. The people put them there. The people are to blame if the Government does wrong. It is to their credit if the Government does right.” During the evening a musical and dancing programme was gone through, and the proceedings closed with a grand dance. The catering for the dinner was done by lodge sisters (Mesdames Steffanson. Noble, and Rushton).