ODDFELLOWSHIP (N.Z.)

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 27 July 1928, Page 5

ODDFELLOWSHIP (N.Z.)

VISIT OF DOMINION GRAND

MASTER.

LARGE GATHERING OF MEMBERS

An . important event in connection with Odotellowship in South Taranaki took place at Hawera last night, when a welcome was given to Bro. W. H. Simmons, of Christchurch, Grand Master lor New Zealand of the 1.0.0. F., N.Z., in the course of his annual visit to various centres in New Zealand. Mr. Simmons has visited other parts of the North Island, and to-day will visit Eltham. “. The conference at Hawera was held in the A. and P. Rooms, delegates being present from Wanganui, Artamoho, Okaiawa and Opunake. P.D.G.M. Bro. A. G. Robertson presided in the unavoidable absence of D.D.G.M. Bro. J. Harrop, of Opunake, and there were also present a large gathering of members of the Huia and Rebekah- Lodges. Bro. A. J. Cooper, secretary, was responsible for the general arrangements. The chairman, after apologising for the absence. through -sickness of D.D.G.M. Bro. J. Harrop and P.D.G.M. Bro. P, Trim, of Hawera-, gave, on behalf of members, a cordial welcome to the Grand Master, stressing the pleasure they , all felt at hi® presence amongst them and the assurance- that the visit. would be of much benefit to the Order.

The Grand Master expressed his pleasure at meeting the lodges in South Taranaki, and assured them that their interests were always a matter ofmuch thought by Grand Lodge. H© then gave a valuable and interesting address on the business of the year in the Dominion.

At the conclusion of the conference the members adjourned to the Carlton Rooms, where supper was served. A short toast list was honoured, the toast of the “Grand Lodge” being proposed by Bro. H. J. Finlay and responded to by the Grand Master, who stressed the importance, of the central body, who were always out to see that any advantage given was to the benefit of the Order as a whole, with a broad l and comprehensive outlook, always endeavouring to carry out the rules of the craft according to the constitution. In reference to the request for a district lodge here, he said that Grand Lodge would have no objection, and if the members always carried out the laws lie was prepared to give the charter. He briefly sketched the origin of the movement to found an Oddfellows’ Lodge since the first -small meeting over 100 years ago . till it had grown to have 3,000,000 members all over the world in seven different countries, on the widest fraternal basis and with thd highest- ideals of equal benefits to all. Afterwards members returned to the lodge room, where the young people enjoyed -some dancing. Songs were given byi Miss Beryl Cooper (Hawera) and Mr. John Burns (Wanganui). The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” concluded an interesting gathering. Speaking later to a “Hawera Star” representative, the Grand Master gave interesting details of the work and growth of tne- Order. He said that the total number of members in the world was well over 3,000,000, New Zealand having 16,539 and Australia over 57,000, while the sick and funeral funds totalled £1,066,000. --A scheme was on foot to provide a fund to give financial assistance to -widow® and orphans. Despite the bad times in the early part of the year'there had been paid in sick and funeral claims tio less than £253,000 in the Dominion, while the membership had considerably increased and it had been decided to increase' the amount to be paid to old members for sick claims. The interest received from funds in hand had paid the claims for the year. . He said that great work had been done by officers and brethren in South. Taranaki, a® elsewhere, in helping him to carry on the work of the Order, and it was 'all a labour of love with them, the desire of all being to build up the Order on a solid foundation. Their aim was always to help those in distress, an ideal which made life worth living, lie added. There were 28 lodges which lie had set out-to visit on this tour, and the part he had taken had been, the southern portion of the North Island. The Grand Master during his two years’ term of office was expected to visit- the whole of the lodges in the Dominion. He had previously visited! the South Island lodges. He referred to the great- work done by the late Bro. William Reid, of Dunedin, who had been Grand Secretary for 50 vears, and to whom a memorial had heon unveiled. There wore men’s and' ladies’ lodges quite separate and distinct, each managing their own affairs, and actually the ladies’ lodges were making most, progress.