I.O.O.F.

Evening Star, Issue 16995, 18 March 1919, Page 3

1.0.0. F.

ANNUAL MEETING. _The annual report of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, Independent Order of Oddfellows, was held to-day at Invercargill. G.M. Bro. IV. Hunter (Christchurch) presiding. The Grand Secretary (Bro. Wm. Reid) reported: When we met in Auckland four years ago we were under a war cloud which the most pessimistic among us did not expect would last so many weary years, desolate so many homes, deprive our lodges of the flower of their young manhood, and send home to us members so maimed and incapacitated that they will never again be fit to taka up the battle of life. To these we are bound by the deepest ties of gratitude and fraternity, and no sacrifice should be too great to show them our appreciation of what they have done for us and for humanity. We must not only bold on to them as a society, but we must see to it that Government will do their duty, and that none of them will share the sad fate of heroes of former wars, who were left by an ungrateful country to die in poverty and want. No new lodges were opened during the terra, and the number stands at 92. Since the end of the term Centenary Lodge was opened with 22 initiates, with a number - who signed the petition to follow. This lodge has been opened by the energy of Opotiki members, assisted by Taneatua. The East Coast promises in time to be one of the leading districts of the jurisdiction. The membership at last report was 6,600; initiated during the year, 427; admitted bv card, 76; reinstated, 7. Total, 7,110. Dropped N.P.D., 261; withdrawn by card, 72; deceased, 174; resignation, 24: expelled. 1. Total. 6,578. At my last report to Grand Lodge the number stood at 6,891, showing a loss during the war period of 513, nearly ail of which was caused by the war. The sickness experience, which at last report to Grand Lodge showed payments for the year of £4,568, was for last year 8,260 weeks £6,740, an increase of £2,272. The most of this increase arose from the epidemic, and it is impossible to say what sickness the aftermath of the war has brought, or is likely to bring. The receipts by lodges were: —Contributions, £19,652; admission fees, £129; interest and rent. £552; other sources, £1,651. Total, £21,745. There was paid for medical benefits, £5,889: working expenses. £4.083; sick pay. £6,740; other expenses, £5,955. Total, £22,648. There is an increase in sick fund of £5,793, while the funeral fund shows a decrease of £1.711 : but the reinsurance fund shows a credit of £719. which will be considerably increased when all claims for funeral allowances have been put in. The funeral claims arising out ot the epidemic total up to £1,840, while £7,350 has been paid for death claims arising out ot the war. But for the epidemic the funeral fund would have shown an increase, and in spite of the heavy drain on it an increa.se of £922 is shown during the war period, while the whole funds, in spite of the extraordinary expenditure of £16,049 in death claims and soldiers’ due.s, and an unknown expenditure in after-war sickness,_ shows increase during the war period of £22,759. It will thus be seen that our financial position is still unassailable. It is satisfactory to think that we have kept every soldier member good on the books without levying on our members or drawing on our benefit funds—a position probably unique among friendly societies in the Dominion. Three hundred and ninety-four maternity claims wove paid during the year, totalling £1.576, and to retain this welcome benefit we will now have to qualify as an approved society- The Renekan branch has made some slight progress, but not such a-s the advantages offered our womenliood should warrant. There wore at last report 16 lodges; opened (Mizpah) 1, total on roll 17. No lodges were dropped, so there wee a gain of one lodge. The membership at last icport (sisters only) was 530. initiated 150, pined by curd 11, reinstated 3, total 754. Leased by membership (n.p.d.) 70, ceased by clearance _ 8, ceased bv death 1, ceased by resignation 33; total membership, 642—a gain of 52

members. Membership last report, including males, 750, entrants 196, total 946; exits 130, total 816. It is a pity that more progress is not shown by the juvenile lodges: they are still the iaithful three—Alpha, Te Tewcra, and Minerva.. There should be a juvenile ledge in connection with every lodge of any size; they form an excellent recruiting field for adult lodges. The centenary of the Order, which is on April 26, marks an important epoch in our history, and is deserving of more than •passing notice. The progress made by the 1.0.0. F. in the century of its existence has been almost phenomenal. The war gave rise to conditions which wore outside the ordinary course of affairs, and for which there were no rules laid down. A great deal of additional work and responsibility was thereby imposed on the executive and office staff, which was, however, carried out without any priction. The question of after-war sickness has occupied the minds of leaders of al. friendly societies, and the war has brought about conditions which wore not contemplated when the societies were established, and scales of dues and which wore adequate under normal conditions may not be found adequate to meet the abnormal conditions brought about by the war. Representations have been made by the societies to the Government, and a promise has been mado that assistance will be given to help t'j meet what is an unknown and incomputable liability. I am of opinion, however, that tho_ after-wnr sickness will not press so heavily on our resources as at first blush appears likely. The liability will bo spread over the lifetime of the member, and if we get any ro-Bonable assistance from the Government will not seriously affect the funds.