FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 9, 11 July 1934, Page 8

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

ANNUAL MEETING OF

COUNCIL

IMPORTANT REMITS

The fourth annual meeting'of the Dominion Friendly Societies'' Council was held recently in the Rechabite Chambers, Wellington. Bro. J. K. Macfie, president, occupied the chair, supp.orted- by Bros. C. H. Bascand and C. L. Cajyert,' vicepresidents. Bro. H. S. jVI. Quigley acted as secretary-treasurer in the absence: in ISngland of Bro. A. G. Shrimpton. Bro. K. E. Sligo was minute secretary.

The following representative delegates were present:—Manchester Unity, Bros. H. S. M. Quigley' (New Zealand branch), U L. Calvert (Otago District); and T. J. Archbold (Lyttelton District); Bros. J. Laughton and I. Mawhiney t^orth Island Grand Lodge), ,L. B. Freeman (Canterbury Grand Lodge), and Vy. B. Huston (Otago and Southland Grand 'Lodge); P.A.F.S.A., Bro. A. Hay (Dunedin); A.0.F., Bros! F. S. Hoy and A.. \V. 0. Trayers, (Wellington District), J. Iv. ATacfie and R. S. Vercoe.(Otago District), 0. Jaeobson and W. A. Smith (Canterbury United District); S. McNab and B, J. Rossiter. (HawkeY " ' Bay District) ; 1.0. R. Central District, Bros. OF. E. Davis (Wellington) and C. H. Bascand (Christchurch); ■ 1.0.0. F.; N.Z., ! Bros.. G. F. Kudkin"' (Wellington) and •. R. E. . Sligo (Dunedin); G.U;0.0.F., ; Bro. sA. J. Ho6per (Wellington); Auckland -TransportSociety. ; Bro. ij. Hughes (Wellington); and Canterbury. Division, S. ' and D. of T., Bro. J. H. Jones (Christchurcli).' ' The president's 'report disclosed that Several societies had .become affiliated during tlie preceding year, bringing the number up -to 18, and representing, on ■ the 1932 ' Government 'membership figures, a inemberehip of 89,511 out of a total' of 102,052, or 87.7: per cent. The report also states that due action had been taken by the executive in connection : with the. sales tax and friendly, society dispensaries, and other matters, as directed by the preceding conference. ..Appreciation was expressed of the excellent work' being "done in various centres by the local friendly societies' councils. Since last year' there had been- little- sign; of; relief: from-unem-ployment, and in all the societies the problem of assisting the' unemployed members to retain their, status in the different Orders heid given 'great' concern.

The president was accorded a vote of thanks for his opening address; iind it was decided to incorporate it in the-min-utes and circulate it to all friendly society branches. ; . i •■ ,

The remit paper afforded delegates an opportunity for much'informative*discussion, and in connection with which it was resolved, inter .alia, that, an endeavour should be made when framing new medical agreements in the several districts to include provision for the. medical attention of female, children up to eighteen, arid that,an endeavour^ ehbuld be made to ensure that, membere 'entitled. are placed on inedical,list whenever resident. It was also; agreed that means test stipulations should be excluded from medical, agreements, and that members placed on other medical. lists should be required to show proof of being financial; in their parent lodge.! It, was ; also .decided,, that the facilities under section 55 of the Finance Act, 1931,, No. i, should be -supported in any : other cases found warranted.

Special reports were received regarding pensions and the powers' of: trustees arid .management committees:^These are. set out in the-proceeding*. ' ■ •

It was resolved to request the,several societies to entertain-the visiting delegates annually, the Wellington District, of, the Manchester Unity Oddfellows to act as hosts on the next occasion, and the Wellington District of the-A.O.F. at the following conference.

Hearty was accorded the 'president-1 (Bro. ■ .".L-• 3?. Maciie),; tlife secretary (Bro. A. G. Shrimptoni, the acting secretary (Bro. H. S. M. Quigley). and the minute: secretary. ;(Bro.; R. o^. Sligo) for their services. '

The election of officers resulted in the unanimous appointment of Bro. C. H. Bascaiid, (Chr.istchurch'); as: president.V and Bros. C. L. Calvert (Duuedin) and' (i. F. Rudkin (Wellington) as vice-presidents, Bro. A." G. Shrimpton (Wellington) as secretary-treasurer, and Bro. T. Fathers (Wellington) as auditor. The installation of officers was afterwards conducted by Bro. H. S:: M. Quigley, past president.,.,;