MANCHESTER UNITY

Evening Star, Issue 22413, 10 August 1936, Page 11

MANCHESTER UNITY

At. tlie fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Centenary Lodge, held in the Wesley Street Hall, South Dunedin, on Monday evening, N.G. Bro. W. Davidson presided. There was a large attendance of members and visiting brethren, the latter including a- full official visit from the Hand and Heart Lodge. The N.G. extended a welcome to the visiting brethren and to P.G.M. Bro. E. J. Hey and P.D.G.M. Bro.' H. Alpine. The syllabus Jor the evening was a debate with the Loyal Valley Lodge, .the subject being ‘ Could Arbitration Be a Fit Substitute for War?’ Bros. Macfarlane (leader), Buswell, Scott, and Robson represented Valley, which took the affirmative, Bros. Sellar (leader), Davidson, Hartstonge, and Boardman taking the negative for Centenary. P.G. Bro. C. B. Barrowclough acted as judge. In opening for the affirmative Bro. Macfarlane first defined arbitration, and spoke on the horrors of war, which he maintained we had been taught were inevitable. A more fitting method was arbitration, and the speaker instanced, the League of. Nations, which had been set-up during a very difficult period and which had not yet had time to fully prove its worth. Norway and Sweden were examples of countries which had settled disputes by arbitration. Bro. Sellar, for the negative, also defined arbitration, stating that ordinary civil arbitration was successful because it was by civil law, and international arbitration could only be maintained by armed forces. He submitted that the League of Nations was on a basis of agreement between nations, not on an arbitration basis. Speakers for both sides enlarged on their leaders, and the debate was listened to with interest. In summing up, Bro. Barrowclough said that he considered - the standard of the debate very good compared with other lodge debates he had heard. Ho commented on several speakers, and gave some valuable hints regarding the conduct of debates. In his opinion the affirmative side had failed to take advantage of the openings afforded them, and he awarded the verdict to the negative—Centenary. At the conclusion of the debate a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded Bro. Barrowclough for his services as judge, members expressing appreciation of his constructive summing up and advice. At the monthly meeting of Loyal Middlemarch Lodge N.G. Bro. A. Guild presided over a full attendance of officers and members. The principal business was the installation of officers, P.G.s Bros. G. Robertson and Cockburn conducting the ceremony. It was decided to make an official visit to one of the Dunedin lodges during the month, the date to be fixed later. One new member was initiated and two propositions for membership received. Sick pay passed for the month amounted to £l9 10s Bd.

The Past Grands’ Lodge met in the district chambers, Stuart street, on Tuesday evening, P.G. Bro. M. Isaac presiding. A letter was received from the South Otago Past Grands’ Lodge asking for the attendance of officers at the southern lodge’s installation on August 20, and it was decided to endeavour to comply with the request. The question of a syllabus for the ensuing year and its insertion in the official handbook was left in the hands of the officers. Short addresses on three subjects of interest to members of the order were delivered by P.G. Bro. E. Longworth (‘ Could Specialist Treatment be Provided for Lodge Members?’), P.P.G.M. Bro. A. Sligo (‘Has the Friendly Society Outlived its Usefulness?’), and P.D.G.M. Bro. H. Alpine (‘ Should Delegates’ Expenses to District Meeting be Paid from a Central Fund?’). These subjects were afterwards thrown open for general discussion and questions invited. A vote of thanks was accorded the speakers at the close of the meeting.

The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Albion Lodge was held in the M.U. Hall, Stuart street, on Thursday evening, N.G. Bro. R. Rosevear presiding. A letter was received from the provincial secretary announcing that the halfyearly meeting of the District Committee would be held on Saturday, September 26, in the lodge room of the Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge, at Lawrence. Arrangements for the transport and accommodation of delegates were being made, and the lodge was requested to appoint representatives to attend the meeting. Two new members were initiated and three propositions for membership submitted. At the close of business P.G.s Bros. L. Huntley, L. Anderson, and R. M. Stewart entertained members and lady friends at a progressive euchre tournament.