ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15900, 11 April 1912, Page 10

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

THE BIENNIAL CONFERENCE,

VISIT TO EANGIOEA

The Oddfellows' Conference was resumed r.t 8.30 a.m. yesterday for a brief session, and the rest of the day was devoted to pleasuro seeking. Tho only business transacted was the consideration of a request from tho Westland District to bo allowed to amalgamate with the North Westland District. The request was grouted. Shortly after nine o’clock the officers, deputies and their wives, forming a party of seventy, started in fourteen motor-cars lor an excursion through the northern district. At Ivaiapoi an hour was spent in the "Woollen Mills, where the visitors found much to interest them. The run was then continued through the \V codend, Waikaku arid Sefton districts to Bangiora. where the visitors were the nruests of' the Ashley District members at luncheon. A civic reception at the Municipal Council Chambers had boon arranged but owing to delays having occurred on tho journey this had to be abandoned. At the luncheon, however, the Mayor, Mr E. E. Coed, gave the visitors n very hearty welcome to tne town, and expressed his admiration o: the humanitarian work being done bv the Oddfellows. Brother the. Hon D. Buddo also exnressed his great pleasure at tho visit of such a distinguished par-ty of Oddfellows to the district. An adjournment was then made to the grounds of the Bowling. Tennis and Croquet Club, where the remainder of the afternoon was spent in playing tho various games for w.iicn facilities are provided. A four rink bowling match was played between the visitors and the club, tho latter u inning bv 67 points to 46. Afternoon tea was served by the wiv.es and daughters of some of the local brethren, and before leaving for Christchurch Brother J. Clark, on behalf of the party, suitably thanked the members of the club for their kindness in providing such a pleasant afternoon. On the journey to tho citv one of tho cars took an erratic course into a deep dram beside the read and the six occupant? of the car received a thorough vetting, besides some cuts and bruises. he occupant of another of the cars, who was riding on the front seat, received a severe blow on his left side shaft, of a. vehicle that, u.-m n., - . ins lio-hts, and on reaching the city he had to seek surgical am.

SOCIAL GATHERING large attendance, includmg a nunibe of l-idies Tho Provincial Grand Ma.stor. BSther D. W. L. presided, and he was supported by th. Mayor (Mr J- J- Dougall), the toun clerk (Mr H. R. CouncJlkor W . 11. Cooper, Mr L. M. Isifct, .. l ; •. •* • Brother C. E. Bellringer. D.G.V. 8.0-tlidr tlidr .T. Clark, and C.S. Brother J. Kershaw. There were present D, H. M’CleUand Inglis, D.D.b.M., 1-U. 0.F.; My.tv.vs J. Burgess. 8.G.P., L.A. 0. Druids; V. Bedwell, MA.National Division of New Zealand Son 3 and Daughters of Temperance, and C. D. Robertson, representing the Ancient Order of Foresters. , After the loval toast had been honoured. “The Parliament o, Now Zealand” was proposed by P.G.M. Brother J. M’.Leod. who stated that the Parliament of Now Zealand could justly bo called the. most progressive Parliament in the British Empire. Its legislation had all along been for tho good of the people. But although a great deal had been done for the people, the speaker was of opinion that more might hove been done for the Oddfellows, mid for other orders, by the improvement ot tho Friendly Societies’ statutes. _ it should ho imperative for each Society to guarantee benefits cominen.surat© with members’ subscriptions, thus giving more protection for members of friendly societies. As a visitor from Auckland, lie was surprised to and tlutu in Canterbury Auckland was considered to he a Conservative province. There were go ml points even in conservatism, and in his opinion changes should come slowly. Bub to say that Auckland was a. Conservative province was not correct, for it was in reality truly Liberal. Mr L. M. Tsitb, M.F., in responding, said that it was the first time that he had had the honour of responding to such ail honourable toast as that of the “Parliament of New Zealand.” No New Zealander had any reason to bo ashamed of the legislative history of the dominion. The conditions of *livine- in New Zealand compared more than favourably with the conditions in anv other country in the world, and that was the result of tho humane legislation of the New Zealand Parliament. The people should remember that they alone were responsible for their Parliament. As soon as there was any real dissatisfaction the people could and would replace their Parliament with another one. Berorring to the statement that Parliament had not dona as much as it might have for the friendly societies of the dominion, Mr Isitt stated that he was quite in accord with the demand for more protection. He considered that no friendly society should be allowed to operate without precautions being taken to secure t.ie absolute stability of that society. P P G M. Brother J. Smith, doputyMavor of Wellington, proposed the toast of the “Citv of Christchurch. He referred to the excellent manner in which the city was conducted and eulogised the work of the Mayor. -Mr .J. J. Dougai!. . The Mover responded in a .ehcitons speech. in'which he laid stress on the fact that Christchurch was tlm premier citv of the dominion. He referred to the value of friendly societies in any community. , , . Other toasts honoured during the evening were “The Manchester Unity,” “ The Grand Master and Beard of Directors,” “Kindred Societies,” “The North Canterbury District, ,' JJ 10 Ashley District,” “The Sick ana Distressed cf Our Order, £ Too Ladies, “The Press.” Musical and other items were contributed by Brothers ,J. Kershaw, P. H. J. Maurice, fi. T. Ainsworth, A. Mitchell, W. Perry, D. M. L. Mehrtens and T. Aitken. . At the conclusion of the social dancing was indulged in.