ODDFELLOWS’ HALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 76, 11 March 1933, Page 9

ODDFELLOWS’ HALL

RE-OPENED IN HASTINGS

OFFICIAL CEREMONY CONDUCTED

ADDRESS BY DOMINION GRAND MASTER.

Another milestone in the history of the Loyal Hastings Lodge of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows was laid last evening when the hall in Market street was re-opened amid due ceremony and an atmosphere of goodwill and prosperity. There was a big gathering of members and friends and in addition almost all the kindred societies in Hastings and various branches of the province were represented. The chairman, Noble Grand Bro. F. W. Franklin, explained that the building was used by the Postal Department after the earthquake in 1931 until a few months ago, and although it was not greatly damaged by the quake it was found necessary to carry out extensive renovation throughout the building. Now tho lodge, he believed, had one of tho most convenient and up-to-date halls in the district. On behalf of tho lodge members he expressed thanks to the committee in charge of the operations, the builders (Messrs W. and ’J'. Keith), the clerk of works (Mr C. P. Flowers), and the secretary (Bro. P. J. S. George). The chairman then extended a hearty welcome on behalf of the Loyal Hastings Lodge to the visitors from kindred lodges extending from Napier to Woodville. He also extended a welcome to the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs G. F. Roach). When officially declaring the hall reopened the New Zealand Grand Master, Bro, H. S. M. Quigley, of Dannevirke, stated that he considered the occasion important not because the re-opemng of the hall was, in itself, anything beyond a social gathering and rally of Oddfellows, but because he recognised that a great opportunity offered itself for renewed progress on the lines of undoubted efficiency and fraternal understanding, FELLOWSHIP. “1 am proud to say that the Friend, ly Societies have, to a certain extent, maintained a universal desire to understand and know each other better,” stated tho speaker. “That fellowship and comradeship which the world is asking for to-day was the foundation of our order over 120 years ago, and now the great world of humanity, through o.ur leaders, is preaching rhe gospel in no uncertain voice, otherwise the laws of man must utterly fail, socially and commercially, and all become chaos. You will all surely have read President Roosevelt’s inaugural speech —an inspired message, to my mind, to the world. Great man as he is, imbued with stern business instincts, ho realises that we cannot put the world right unless we give the human being his rights, stamp out selfishness and do all we can to help each other, even though it means personal and national sacrifices.

“Many of you possibly to-night are looking upon this event as one of a matter of course, but it is not so. Your hall became a valuable asset in the reconstruction period and a most important public service found you willing to help, It has served a useful service and has now been returned to you, and I feel sure that it will serve you as well in the future as in the past. It is unfortunately true that a lodge hall property is not altogether a payable proposition, but your hall is easily one of the exceptions and may it always be so. LINKS OF BROTHERHOOD. “Let this re-opening ceremony mark the era of new and enlightened thought, that of prosperity. The appalling economic crisis has. if it has done nothing else, brought men and women of the right kind together in the bonds of friendship and a desire for sympathy. This trouble has told us how weak we mor. tals are. The Manchester Unity, with other Friendly Societies, cannot dissociate itself from the rest of the community. We are part of the machinery of true citizenship and our members must play their part. No longer can stern business methods prevail and continue successful without the link of brotherhood, and 1 say it is the strong, est link in the chain.” The speaker went on to say that unless a national financial catastrophe happened, and it was not likely, the Friendly Societies would pull through because they had recognised in the past the combination of mutual understanding and financial strength. The institution would only remain strong and a power for the alleviation of ills if the lodges got down to practical methods of helping to solve the social evils which had brought the world to its present stagnant state. It must be understood quite plainly that membership demanded service. Oddfellowship admitted of nothing contrary to the law of the realm, to religion and to sound morality. The society must take its part in the problems which were confronting the world to-day. UNEMPLOYMENT. “Let me give you one avenue of thought in this direction,” continued Uro. Quigley. “Can we, as Friendly Society members, professing to love our fellow beings, idly watch the dire catastrophe of unemployment without making some practical effort to solve the position? We live in a land of plenty and there should be work for all. The society can use its influence as good citizens and stand solidly behind all institutions, the Government and the Empire in the helping to solve the position, even if it demands extensive personal sacrifice. The public has learned to judge the Friendly Society organisation as one worth while for the betterment of mankind. Let us, then, quit ourselves like men and be strong. We must put our trust in God and hope that He will use the Manchester Unity as a vital force during these times of need.”

After extending the greetings of the New Zealand branch to the Hawke’s Bay district, the Grand Master formally declared the hall reopened, with the sincere wish that it would bring to the Hustings Lodge prosperity and happiness. A brief and interesting resume of the history of the Hastings Lodge was given by District Grand Master Bro. P. J. S, George, whilst expressions of goodwill were extended by Deputy District G.M. Bro. E. Gibbard (Danncvirke). District See. Bro. J. Williamson (Napier), Past G.M. Bro. Nicholson (Distiiet Management Committee), and Past G.M. Bro. L. Stein (Danncvirke), representative of kindred lodges and societies

The addresses were intermingled with musical items contributed by Bro. D. Sturm (songs). Bro. P. J. Priest (recitations), Mrs Priest (songs), and Bro. Maisey (songs). Following supper the floor wa» cleasjid for dsactnft.