MANCHESTER UNITY

Evening Star, Issue 22619, 10 April 1937, Page 10

MANCHESTER UNITY

OTAGO DISTRICT COMMITTEE YEAR OF PROGRESS REVIEWED A year of lively activity was reviewed by tlie Otago District Committee of the M.11.1.0.0.1C, which commenced its annual meeting this morning. The Provincial Grand Master (Mr E. J. W. Hey) presided over a large attendance of officers. DISTRICT OFFICERS’ REPORT. The report of the district officers stated, inter alia, that the health insurance question, acknowledged to be one of most vital importance to the friendly society movement, was still under consideration, and the officers were not in a position to advise as to the intentions of the Government with regard to the proposal. Some time ago the lodge had notification from the department that a meeting was to be held to discuss the matter. The meeting was held in Wellington, and the district officers considered that as there was no definite proposal to discuss, all ends would be served by asking G.S. Bro. Shrimpton, of the New Zealand branch, to represent Otago district and advise the meeting of the Otago lodge’s views ns to the wisdom of using friendly societies as the chief medium for carrying out any scheme. Later news would seem to confirm the rumour that it was the intention of the Government to make use of societies in a similar way to that adopted in England. It was noted that the British Medical Association pro-

mised all support to the Government to provide medical service, but asked that all who could meet their own costs be allowed to meet their own needs in their own way. The Government, it was said, did not contemplate any scheme which would affect the profession either financially or professionally. This year’s tour of the district officers was to the Central Otago area, and it was pleasing to record the fine spirit of keenness and enthusiasm evident in all the lodges visited. The various official visits held during the past six months had again been well attended, bright and enthusiastic gatherings of brethren assembling at each function of this nature. Two more brethren had qualified for membership medals—Per. Sec. Bro. Couper for a 100 medal and P.G. Bro. W. A. Cameron for a 25 medal. The examination for the Harrop Scholarships was held in December last, and the winners were Eileen Patricia Russell, daughter of P.G. Bro. A. E. Russell, Loval Dalton Lodge, and John Edward Hunt, son of Bro. Hunt, Pride of Kaitangata Lodge. The examination for the Sligo Scholarship would be held at the end of 1937, on a date to be fixed. NATIONAL HEALTH SCHEME. The adoption of the report was moved by the Provincial Grand master, who said at the outset that the high traditions of Loyal Albion were being maintained by its present officers and members. Their zeal and ability were an inspiration to all who attended their meetings. To the families and relatives of deceased brethren he extended his sympathy and condolences. He specially mentioned two who had niven of their best in the interests of the order —P.P.G.M. Bro- B. H. Rosevear and P.G. Bro. G. M . Gare. The proposed national health insurance scheme had undoubtedly

given friendly societies much food for thought during the past year, and if they remained true to the principles of the fraternity they must welcome the introduction of a scheme to make provision, such as they were providing for brethren, for those members of the community who were unable to qualify for membership in a friendly society. The Dominion Friendly Societies’ Council was giving close attention to the scheme, and had placed at the disposal of the Government information and experience gathered from the various friendlv societies throughout New Zealand. While appreciating the need for a national health insurance scheme, there were, no doubt, difficult times ahead for the friendly society movement, but if the societies were true to their guiding principle of brotherhood, then nothing could prevent the consummation of the lodges’ desires for the perpetuity of friendly societies. MEMBERSHIP RECORD. “The subject of membership has been constantly brought to the notice of our members, and it is pleasing to he able to record an increase of 125 in the numerical strength of our district,” said the speaker. “I believe this is the largest increase since our campaign year, and I congratulate the brethren on their achievement. There are definite indications that the depressed conditions which have borne so heavily upon us are lifting, and that we are approaching an era of better times. Our order is so intimately associated with the ordinary citizen that the progress of our society reflects to a remarkable extent the ups and downs of the community. The speaker said he had never lost an opportunity to stress the phase of juvenile work. The lodge was not making the progress in this branch of its work as it should. However, the

members of the juvenile council and management committees, deserved thanks for the services they were rendering to the order.. One could not overlook the fact that, from the juveniles of to-day must come the Manchester Unity of to-morrow. Concluding, the speaker reiterated the wordl expressed by two great British statesmen. Sixty years ago Mr Gladstone pronounced his verdict on. the movement when he said: ‘ ‘ Friendly society have become so important a feature m the constitution of . English society that any account of this nation would deserve no attention as a really comprehensive account if ft excluded thn friendly societies.” ' At this lodge’s overseas conference held in the. Albert Hall in 1934, Mr Stanley Baldwin (Prime Minister of Great Britain), ■whose outstanding ability and statesmanship were so prominently illustrated in dealing with the dimcultiei recently encountered in connection with the nation and the Crown, said; “ The day will never come ' when the work of our friendly societies will no more be necessary, therefore go home to your lodges and preach the gospel of oddfellowship with more faith than von have every preached it before, and rich will be your reward.” The report was adopted without discussion.