FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 396, 19 March 1915, Page 2

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

ODDFELLOWS IX SESSION. [per press association.] Auckland, March 18. The 37111 annual session of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows of Neu Zcalami was continued to-day. The G.Aj., Bro. A. 11. Valentine, presided. The following officers were: elected to the principal chairs in the Grand Lodge for the ensuing two years : — Grand Master, Bro. W. Hunter (Christchurch); Deputy Grand Mas ter, Bro. R. Robb (Gisborne) : Grand Warden, Bro. C. J. Talbot ; Grand Secretary, Bro. W. Reid (Dunedin); Grand Treasure, Bro. J. H. Hinton (Dunedin).

The re-election of the veteran Grand Secretary, Bro. Reid, was received with great enthusiasm, the delegates expressing their satisfaction with musical honours and cheers. Numrous proposals for the amendment of the constitution were considered and some of them were adopted, a new clause was framed providing that financial members of lodges in good standing may become honorary associate-members of other lodges on payment of a minimum contribution of 5/- per annum, it being agreed that such contributions should not he subject to assessment by Grand Lodge. Three proposals for increasing benefits to sick members were considered. The executive was author isd to consult the Registrar of Friendly Societies and to adopt the scale which he recommended. A ruling was given by the Grand Master and endorsed by Grand Lodge that in matters relating to Rebecca ledges the Lady D.D.G.M. is not subject to the authoritv of the D.D.G.M. It was unanimously decided to increase the sick benefits in juvenile lodges from 5,- to 6/- per week. A remit suggesting t hat assistance should be given to lodges paying more than £l per annum for doctor and chemist benefits was lost. Another remit widening the franchise in. connection with district committees was lost. A proposal that a travelling secretary should be appointed to assist the seceretaries of subordinate lodges in their duties was also defeated. It was decided not to reduce the cc.nlribul ions of lionorarv members.