M.U.I.O.O.F.

Evening Star, Issue 17927, 24 March 1922, Page 2

M.U.1.0.0.F.

ANNUAL MEETING OTAGO

DISTRICT.

At yesterday's meeting at Baldnlhn, a resolution was passed, on the motion of P.P.G.M, Hamel (Hand ami Heart), congratulating (ho new Registrar of Friendly Societies (Mr W. W. Wright) on his appointment, and expressing a desire for tho continuance: of the very tine relatioiis which existed between the order and his predecessor (Mr R. E. Hayes). The meeting also confirmed tho executive’s letter of congratulation to Mr Hayes, who has been appointed -Vs.sist.ant Secretary te the Treasury. _ , .In moving tho adoption of the District Officers’ report (published yesterday), I'.U.M. Thomas Middlemans _ mentioned that at the last district meeting held in BalchtUia (September, 1912) Loyal Dalton Lodge had a membership of 301, and funds valued at £7,721; on December 31 last- the membership had increased t-o 314, and the funds to £11,022. It was not Jiis intention to take up time with any lengthy reference to the report which wiis before than. Ho would say, however. in regard to numerical strength, that the increase of 121 members was not, to his mind, satisfactory. An increase of a little more than 2 per cent, suggested that they were not, putting their best foot forward. They required- a continuous How of recruits to tho M.U. flag to foster and extend the principles they espoused. There was little doubt that, with the high rates of interest being earned, (heir nort quinquennial valuation would show the surplus of the district so much enhanced that they would bo in a position to make some substantial forward movement for the benefit of their members. He, had had the honor during his term of opening two juvenile lodges— Loyal Caversham Lodge on June 1, with fifty-six members, and Loyal United (Dunedin) Lodge on November 2, with fourteen members, making a total of five juvenile lodges—viz.. Loyal Pioneer, Kaitangaln. with seventy-four members; Loyal Taieri. Mosgiel, fifty-two members; Loval Toko, Milton, sixty-six members; Lnval Caversham, Caversham, ninety members; and Loyal United, Dunedin, twent v-six members. Since the publication of the report tho sanction- of tiro executive had been given for (lie formation of a Juvenile District Council, t-o govern juvenile lodges. His own lodge had a motion on the business paper for permission to open a ladies lodge, to which ho did nob propose to refer other than to say that at tho Hawke's Ray District annual meeting the rules _ wore amended to provide for the admission of females into male lodges. Loyal Band of Friendship Lodge (Kakanui) completed, its fiftieth year on January 17, and was arranging to celebrate the occasion on soma suitable date. Regarding tho proposal to join ii]) with the Now Zealand branch, the ITov. CI.M. said he was snro that if they could arrange for face-to-face conferences with tho representatives concerned, and mot with that feeling of fraternity for which their order stood, tho dav was not. far distant when they would bo as ono branch of tho Manchester Unity in New Zealand. On questions such ass the scale of contributions and benefits for the sick, and funeral fund l and a- uniform system of clearances from, one lodge to another, there would require _ to_ bo sacrifices with both branch and district; but what of that if the order as a whole in New Zealand was making a forward move and members ultimately reaped the benefit? He had not visited as many lodges as lie would have liked, but those visited had had lino meetings, and the tokens of friendship extended 1 t-o him would long remind him of a very happy year of office. The motion for the adoption of tho report was seconded by Prov. D.G.M. J. Will.

Resolutions wore passed instructing tho executive lo take stops to have tho Act a,mended so as to allow of the investing of funds in Harbor Board debentures, where they were secured by ft rating area, and leaving in its hand the matter of validating an investment in Auckland Harbor Beard debentures by a, certain lodge. In connection with the district shield competition the treasurer expressed tho opinion that Tapanul Lodge was stronger and better for its part in the competition, and urged all. the lodges to have a try for the .shield. —I). fl. B. Thomson (Nareby) urged the abolition of secessions, and suggested that where there was a tic tho shield should go to each winner for six, months. —Per. Sec. \\. Weir (Mosgie!) pointed out that his lodge had to enrol 2J per cent, of its population to qualify, as compared with only 1 per cent. necossuTv in the case of Dunedin. Ho thought the committee should take such a point as tins into coii-sideration.- The Prov. Chief .Secretary remarked that 1 he.so suggestions should bo rent to tho committee, which was always ready to consider any representations that were made to it.—The meeting resolved to send a letter to Tapanni Lodge congratulating its members on their performance. Regarding the National Provident Fund, a motion wa.s carried asking the executive to draft a rule allowing the adoption of either of tho following equivalents: After age sixty, of a weekly payment of os'fhr the second six months and 5s after twelve months’ sickness; 5s 9d per week for all sickness. lOd per week deduction in contribution.

The report was adopted with these stipulations. The (itatcmcnt of accounts in regard to the distress fund was adopted after some discussion on the administration, of the fund.-—The Treasurer asked lodges to look to it that no members were allowed to drop out through temporary iqnhiiity to pay their dues. a lodge was able to state a case for relief the executive was always pleased to hear them, and. if the circumstances warranted it. to grant a vote. Tim Judge, however, inns!, go anned with facts and figures, it was the duty of the executive not to rfidl'A’ a vtol- 1 ank-i-s tin; (Kiric \-rt.s supported by proper evidence. He wanted iin upinon from the meeting on the executive's police.--It was resolved on the motion of P.P.G.M. Hamel to eroiorso the policy of the executive ns stated by the treasurer. The Treasurer stated that it would not be necossarv to make a- levy for the district benefit" fund, but ho thought it would be necessary to make a levy of Is 9d for the- management fund. The meeting considered in committee a .report on the conduct of tho Dalton Dodge’s finances, and curried a motion I,'.living the matter in the executive’s hands.

The meeting adopted a committee report deciding not to amalgamate with the New Zealand branch. (t was resolved— •* That tho officers oi the Past Grands’ Dodge, when requested by the district and appointed by the Mercrnonial Committee of that lodge to take part in the conferring of past officers’ and purple degrees when meetings for that purpose are held outside Dunedin, Tort Chalmers, and Mosgiel, shall recoil from the district such expenses as tho district officers may decide.”—(Hand and Heart Lodge.) It was further resolved — That a committee bo sot nn to report at t.io next district meeting as to the best ways and moans to perpetuate tho memory of the late P.P.G.M. Bro. Sligo.”—(Albion L ° d " o,) LADIES’ LODGES.

Per. Secretary al'Fadyon (Pride of Kaitangata- Lodge) moved—“ That the timo has now arrived for the formation of female lodges in' the Otago district, and that permission be granted to tho Loyal Pride of Kaitangata Lodge to open a female lodge, to bo called, the Loyal Queen of Otago Lodge, No. 1.” Ho mentioned that an unattached female lodge already existed at Kaitangata. Per. Secretary Stabb (Albion) expressed tho opinion that females and possibly juvenile lodges were outside tho aqopo of the. Act. , , P.P.G.M. Hamel (Hand and Heart) proposed an amendment referring tho matter to a committee for fuller information regarding tho whole position, tho committee to.report to the next half-yearly meeting, on tho un dors landing that the lodge cpnld.„ieinaiy as aii-

tho meantime. Ho maintained that the mice did nob provide for contributing rates from females. Tho meeting decided to hear tho Southland delegates, and they testified as to the success of a female lodge there, stating that tho ladies had proved just as capable of managing their affairs as the men. The lodge woe registered under tho p'g. Thomson expressed a fear that if they did not provide for ladies, wholo families would go to other orders. Ultimately tho Kaitangata delegates withdrew their motion, and P.P.G.M. Hamel’s amendment was carried, the committee to be composed of the _ executive and two Kaitangata representatives. Tho Chairman caused much amusement by rising and reading a letter from the ladies’ lodge thanking tho meeting for its decision.