I.O.O.F. Lodge Seeks Independent Charter: Many Obstacles Seen

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22916, 7 April 1949, Page 3

1.0.0. F. Lodge Seeks Independent Charter: Many Obstacles Seen

An efTort by the New Zealand constitution to obtain a direct charter from the Sovereign Grand Lodge and freedom from the Grand Lodge of Australasia was at present in doubt as there were many difficulties and complete unity of action was lacking, said Mr. B. H. Wilcox, reporting on a recent session of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, at a meeting recently of the Star of Gisborne Lodge, 1.0.0. F., N.Z. Such a charter, it was pointed out, would give the New Zealand lodge a status of quasi-independency. The next session of the Grand Lodge of Australasia is to be held in Auckland with representatives from all the Australian States, and the question of New Zealand’s desire to be independent of that body will probably loom largely on its programme.

Rehabilitation Measures Referring to policy matters, a report of the meeting states: "Experience of two wars in which European countries were overrun and the funds of the order lost in those countries and lodges disorganised has caused the Sovereign Grand Lodge to require that all funds of subordinate grand lodges should be

vested in it. This allows in a war emergency for their transfer to safe keeping in the name of the Sovereign Grand Lodge and their return when the emergency is over for the re-estab-lishment of the order in the countries affected. This is contrary to the law affecting friendly societies in New Zealand. 1 ’ Funeral Benefits The report adds: “There is a prospect of an increase of one third in the standard funeral benefit of £3O without any increase in contributions, but this does not fully meet the requirements of a remit from the Star of Gisborne Lodge seeking a minimum of £SO, £2O of which would be payable on the death of a member’s wife, for all new members at a rate to be fixed by the Government actuary. The remit was lost.” Life assurance, child endowment and many other matters were reported on and Mr. Wilcox was thanked for his efforts. A toast list and musical items, with Mr. Nolan Redstone at the piano, • completed a successful evening. Officers Installed Officers were installed last week by the new district deputy-Grand Master, Mr. R. W. Goodley, Wairoa, assisted by Mr. Guy Hansen, deputy Grand Marshal, and a team of Wairoa lodge officers:—Noble Grand, Mr. Leslie R. Wil- ! cox; Vice Grand, Mr. Cyril Masemann; financial secretary. Mr. C. L. Harvey.; recording secretary, Mr. W. Corbett; treasurer, Mr. Jas. English. The retiring Noble Grand, Mr. Eric Wilcox, assumed the chair of Junior Past Grand.

Mr. H .Kennedy, past D.D.G. M- presented an 1.0.0. F. veteran’s jewel for 25 years’ active work in the order to Mr. C. L. Harvey.