ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15899, 10 April 1912, Page 5

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

BIENNIAL CONFERENCE. YESTERDAY’S SESSION. The Oddfellows’ Biennial Conference was resumed at 9 a.zn. yesterday, Grand Master Brother C. It. Bellringer presiding. / Regarding the admissibility of remits and nominations from the, Hawke’s Bay district, which was questioned the previous day because they had been forwarded by the District Committee of Management without having been first sanctioned by the district meeting, the Grand Master ruled that the remits and nominations were in order on the ground that the rules were not clear as to the powers of the Committee of Management. but it was reasonable to suppose that it exercised control of the district business between the district meetings. Deputy Thomas moved that the meeting should respectfully differ with the ruling of tho Grand Master, and rule that such remits were out of order, and inadmissable. The motion was seconded by Depiity Saunders, and after a brief discussion was carried by twenty votes to seventeen.

CONSOLIDATION OF SICK FUNDS. Deputy Thomas moved a remit from the Auckland District“ That ithe Biennial Movable Committee take into consideration the "advisability of consolidating the sick funds of Lodges, with a view, if thought advisable, of bringing the same into force, and' if the principle be affirmed, that the rules be amended accordingly, and that the Board’of Directors draw up the necessary conditions and regulations for working the same.” The mover said the Friendly Societies were faced with grave possibilities in the future, and efforts should be made to popularise the Manchester Unity in every direction open. One of the best means to that end would be the extending of the benefits, which would be made possible by the consolidation of the funds. At the present time a large amount of money was lying almost idle in the Lodge accounts which, if controlled by the central body could be invested to the best advantage. Consolidation would.also .have the effect of placing a member on the same footing in a foreign Lodge as in his own. Strong Lodges would stand by the weak, and it must be clearly understood that consolidation did not mean confiscation.

The motion was seconded bv Deputy Saunders, and evoked a long discussion. Eventually the following motion, moved by Deputy Bamber, seconded by Deputy Veitcn, was carried by twenty-five votes to thirteen :—"" That the question of the consolidation of the sick funds be deferred to the next B.M.C. meeting, and in the meantime the Board of Directors collect all information as to benefits, methods of administration, cost, etc., and circulate amongst the districts for consideration.'’ GENERAL BUSINESS.

A remit from the Hawke’s Bay District—“ That it is desirable the General Rules be amended, so as to provide that no director shall be eligible to act as a deputy at the Movable Committee meetings, in consequence of the large voting power at such meetings, which the present system permits the directors to exercise,”, was negatived by a large majority. In accordance with a remit from tho Auckland District it was' resolved that the rules of Societies, Districts and Lodges should bo consolidated, with the proviso that liberty should be granted Lodges to adopt by-laws to meet home requirements. The Board of Directors was instructed to prepare the set of rules.

A letter was received from the Canterbury United District of tho Ancient Order of Foresters, conveying fraternal greetings and good wishes for a successful meeting. It was decided to acknowledge the letter and reciprocate the good wishes. Deputy Bamber resigned the office of branch trustee, in consequence of residing at a distance from Wellington. The resignation was received with regret, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Brother Bamber for his services during the past twelve years. It was resolved that the Grand Master and Board of Directors should revise the ritual of the Society, and that the full ritual should be distributed to Districts for tho use of the Lodges within twelve months. The directors were also requested to have prepared a suitable ritual for Past Grands’ Lodges. It was agreed that the actuary should be requested to prepare a table of contributions and benefits, providing for both contributions and sickness benefits to cease at sixty-five years of ago, Mid also a tablo of contributions for superannuation benefits after reaching sixty-five years of age, contributions then to cease It was resolved to adopt a uniform funeral benefit of £3O, the sum of £lO to be paid on the death of a member’s wife. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The election of officers was then proceeded with. D.G.M. Brother John Clark (Auckland) was- the only candidate for the office of Grand Master, and he was elected on a show of hands P P.G.M. Brother John Smith (Wellington) was elected Deputy Grand Master, Brother J. Kershaw Was re-eleotod corresponding secretary and parliamentary agent, P. P.G.MBrother G. E. Godber was re-elected treasurer, and P.G- Brother A Guise was elected auditor. The following were elected directors :-P P.G M/s Brothers W. Thomas (Auckland), F. W. Watt (Ashburton), I. Salek (Wan-

ganui), D. P. Loasby (Wellington), F Amoore (New Plymouth) and J. A Clarke (Christchurch). The Conference then adjourned.