ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 March 1910, Page 4

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

TIIK .MOVEABLE COMMITTKI'

l ltv TKLKOUArit— l*i:u I'UIESS ASSOCIATION.] NAPIER, March 29.

A meeting oi the Moveable Committee of (he New Zealand branch of the .Manchester Cnity of Odd fellows -was eontinueil to-day.

The I'Acetitive were requested to draft a suitable reply to tiro Sir Joseph Ward’s greetings, received the previous evening. Pro. McLeod said (hat tne Prime "Minister took a keen interest in the welfare of the Friendly Societies, and he (the speaker) knew personally that, it was against Sir Josephs wish that clauses 15 and 16 had been lei I cut of the Consolidated Friendly Societies’ Act.

The proposal from the Auckland district to rescind Rule 71a., providing for the Medical Aid Fund being kept separate from the management, was rejected by 21 votes to 11.

With reference to the rule dealing with clearances at New Plymouth Conference an amendment was made, which provided that a member “clearin'.'” .from one lodge to another connected with the New Zealand branch should be charged the same rate of contributions he paid to his previous lodge in the Auckland district.

It is now proposed to make a fnrthoi amendment, providing that a member shall be charged the rate of contributions in force in the lodge receiving the clearance, at. the age he joined the previous lodge, and shall bo exempt from paying entrance money. The proposal evoked a long discussion, the chief argument in favor of the amendment being that, it would be. more equitable in view of sick benefits not being uniform in several districts. The amendment was adopted with but one dissentient.

Deputy Bro. Lonsby moved on behalf of the Directors: “That it. be a recommendation to the Moveable Committee to centralise the funeral funds on a system providing for the establishment of a Central One Society Funeral Fund by contributions payable through the districts on an equitable graduated scale to bo propounded by an actuary suitable for benefits in each district.”

Deputy Thomas moved as an amendment: “That this meeting, whilst affirming the principle of establishing a Central Funeral Fund, considers that the importance of the subject warrants further consideration of the matter being deferred for two years.” After a debate, lasting over two hour, the amendment was lost by 19 votes tp 14. Deputy Lonshy’s motion was then put and carried. The machinery and rules in connection with a Central Funeral Fund was discussed and adopted. The Conference then adjourned till .to-morrow.