M.U.I.0.0.F.

Evening Star, Issue 16848, 25 September 1918, Page 4

M.U.1.0.0.F.

HALF-YEARLY MEETING,

The half-yearly meeting of the District Oommitte of the M.U.1.0.0.F., Otago District, was held to-day, Pro v. G.M. Bro. Suilivan presiding. THE ROLL. Tho following district officers and dolegates attended : —Prov. G.M. W. Sullivan, Prov. D.G.M. W. Fleming, Prov. C.S. J. A. Hopcraft, Prov. Trc-as. J. H. F. Hamol, P.P.G.M A. Sligo. Hand and Heart; N.G. W. H. Poyntz, V.G. C. E. Hunt, G.M. (S. Thomson, P.G.'s P. Thomeon, S. W. Raffills, T. J. R Pearce, J. T. Roberts, C. Grater, Duirodini! P.P.G.M. A. WDougaM, P.G.'s J. D. Cameron, W. N. Shepperd, Q. T. Scoonea, J. Knox, G. Crosbie. Dal ton: N.G. R. W. Wyber, V.G. W. J. Uren, P.O. J. H. Kraowles. Prince of Wales; P.S. W. J. Watson, P.G. W. D. Campbell. Albion t P.S. P. W. S. Stahb, P.P.G.M.'s G. A. Coughlan, C W. Smith, P.G.'s A. J. Smith, 8. G. T. Smith, E. Lougworth. Oamaru'. P.S. W. Couper. luapeka Pioneer: P.G. W. E. S. Knight, Waiporh P.P.G.M. F. W. Knight. Naseby: P.P.G.M. F. Calvert. Alexandra i N.G. J. Murdoch, P.S. A. M. Wy'lia Roxburgh: P.G. T. P. Michelle. Tapanui: P.G.'s D. M'Ooll and Buchanan. Palmerston: P.S. W. Pittaway, P.G. W. Dreaver, Cromwell: P.G.'a J. Ritchie, D. 0. Jelly. Mount Wend on i P.S. H. Willrie. OcJtram: P.G. W. M'Leod. Mossjiel: P.S. W. Weir. P.P.G.M. W. Allan. Oaveraham : P.G.'s J Will, W. Bevin, F. J. M'Kenzio, P.P.G.M. J. G. Bites. Valley: P.P.G.M. A. W. Palmer, P.G?s C H Russell, W. J. Hutton, Pride of Kaitangtta: P.S. B M'Fadyen, N.G..A. E. Chapman, P.G. T. Middfemass. Milton : P.G. 11. L. Kennard. Middlomairoh: P.G. J. Coutte, P.P.G.M. W. E. C. Redd. Maniototo: P.P.G.M. J. H. Crawford. Vincent: P.G. R. S. B. Clarke. The meeting was opened with the singing of the National Anthem. PROV. G.M.'S ADDRESS.

Prov. G. M. Bro. Sullivan welcomed the brethren to tho meeting, at which, ho said, important matters were to bo considered. Ho regretted that tho writ had not come to a conclusion. At no time, however, had the prospects of the Allies looked brighter than they did to-day, and he was sure he was voicing the opinion of members when he" hoped that at an early date peace would be restored. The district had had their share in the casualties. During the past sax months they had lost 14 members killed* in action. THE WAR.

P.T. Ero. Hamel moved and Bro. C. W. Smith seconded—" That this meeting place on record their homage -and respect to the memory of those who had made the supreme sacrifice in the causo of empire, liberty, and humanity; further, that wo extend to the bereaved our sincere sympathy and deepest sorrow, and express to our soldier brethren who are helping to keep tilio British flag flying our keen sense of appreciation and the knowledge of oar joint responsibility." The motion was earned in. silence, members standing, and the meeting adjourned for a few minutes out of respect to the memory of the men who had fallen. DISTRICT OFFICERS' REPORT. The district officers' report, states that the membership roll on June 30 was 4,650, a decrease for the half-year of 42. The value of the lodge funds on June 30 was £204,236. During the term the deaths of 52 members and 12 members' wives were recorded, being an increase of 17 members and fouT members' wives compared with the corresponding period last year. The •contrbutious of soldier members for the term repayable to lodges is £1,175 16s lOd. Returns in our own district show that 1,136- of our members have joined the Ex peditionary Forces up to June 30, while 160 have returned and been discharged. It ia with regret that we have to_ report that 38 more (making a total of 153)_ of our brave brethren have given their lives for their country. The following brethren have been mentioned in recent "honor liafca " for conspicuous bravery at the war : —Lieutenant-colonel D. Colquhoun (Tapanui), Bras. E. C Haddon Jacob (D.C.M.), G. W. Moore, M.M. (Naseby). "Under the present conditions there cannot be expected to be shown any special enthusiasm in official visits, yet despite the adverse circumstances these visits have besn cairied oat according to handbook time-table. On the majority of occasions a. large attendance of the brethren has been recorded, and the functions have been most successful from a fraternal point of view. The city lodges "have been .visited regularly by your executive, and the lodge oflleers installed at the halfyearly meetings. Three visits wore made outside Dunedin—viz., to Loyal Pride of Kaita.ngata on the occasion of the opening J of the juvenile ledge; to Loyal Mosgiel Lodge for the purpose of presenting, on bnhalf of Mrs Low, a framed photograph of her brother, P.P.D.G.M. Bro. Smith, who was one of the founders of the lodge in that district; and to Loyal Prince of Wales Lodge at Port Chalmers. There three functions- are the outstanding visits made during the past six months, and each was an exceptionally successful m-eefcmjr. Your executive deerire to impress upon the brethren the necessity of makinsr the most of these official visits so that the cement of brotherly lovo mav moro closely knit ! together our unity. The present train ar- ! rangements afford very limited opportunrities for the interchange of visit*, but the hope is expressed that in the near future this disability will be remedied, and the conditions will be f-tveh that town and country brethren will have the opportunity of freely intoreha.niring fraternal visits with the same pleasure and benefit as was derived from similar pre-war ones. P.G.M. Bro. Sullivan moved the reception of the report, with the exception of the clause dealing with consolidation, which was to be considered separately. P.D.G.M. Bro. Fleming seconded the motion. —Sick Fund.— P.T. Bro. Hamel spoke at some length regarding a movement which had been set on foot by one of the large organisations in tho friendly societies group to bring into operation tho handing over of the sick funds to the Government, the administration of the funds to be carried outthroiiffh tho National Provident Fund. The matter that had led up to this movement was the statement that extremely heavy benefits were being paid out as a rosult of the war. Bro. Hamel asserted that there was nothing to warrant tho raising of tho bogie that depletion of funds had taken place. No State interference was wanted with the sick funds : it was not breathing the true spirit of friendly societies to ask tho Government to onm'c to their assistance in tho way suggested. —Admission of Members.— The clause in the report dealing with admission of membprs aroused considerable discussion. It was felt by some members that a mistako had been made bv tho executive in recommending an age limit for the admission of members to the order.

Bro. Calvert moved—"That this district recommend to lodges not to accept candidates for membership who are liable to be called upon for military service." Bro. Allan seconded the motion. After further discussion it was resolved that the next business be proceeded with, leaving the position that as set out in the circular sent to lodges, which embodied a recommendation that it was inadvisable to admit for membership candidates over 17 years of ago, or unless discharged from or declared permanently unfit for military service.

—Handbook.— A resolution was passed thanking the editor, secretary, and committee concerned in the publication of the official handbook for their services, Bro. W. J. Hutton being especially mentioned. —Juvenile Lodges.—

The matter of juvenile lodges was discussed, and hearty appreciation expressed of the efforts of the Loyal Kaitangata Lodge in establishing the Pioneer Juvenile Lodge in 'their district. P.T. Bro. Hamel remarked that whatever the future of juvenile lodges might be the credit for any success attained belonged really to two brethren of the Loyal Kaitangata Lodge. On the motion of. Bro. Allan, seconded by Bro. Stabb, it was resolved ;—" That

the Kaitangata Lodge bo" congratulated on their having estaDlished - the Pioneer Juvenile Lodge of the Otago District at Kaitangata, and that this meeting of delegates wish the juvenile lodge a successful career. Further, that the sum of £5 5s bo voted towards the initial expenses, and that a half-yearly report of the proceedings of tho juvenile lodge be asked for." (Left sitting.)