I.O.O.F

Northern Advocate, 21 March 1925, Page 3

1.0.0.F

GRAND LODGE SESSION

IMPORTANT WORK, DONE,

The Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, New Zealand, resumed in session at 2 p.m. yesterday. Bro. M. J. Hooper, Grand Master, presided over a full attendance of delegates.

The Australasian representatives who attended the last Triennial Conference held in Sydney in May, 1924, consisting of Bro. L. Deans Ritchie, Grand Treasurer of Australasia; Bro. D. R. Cooper, Grand Messenger of Australasia; representatives Bros. A. H. Valentine (Past Grand Master), F. Wilkinson (Grand Secretary), George Adams (P.D.D.G.M.) and W. F. Croolte (D.D.G.M.), were invited to enter the Grand Lodge in session officially. The Grand Master extended a cordial welcome to the Australasian representatives. Bro. Ritchie (Grand Treasurer) in reply, thanked the Grand Master on behalf of his colleagues. He expressed his pleasure at the great growth of the Order in New Zealand. It was proposed by Bro. C. J. Talbot (Immediate Past Grand Master), "That this Grand Lodge extends its congratulations to Bro. Ritchie (Dunedin) on his elevation to the executive ' of the Australasian body." I This was seconded by Deputy Grand Master Bro. D. R. Cooper, and carried with enthusiasm. MEMBER'S BADGE. It was proposed by Rep. G. F. Rudkin (Wellington) and seconded by Rep. F. J. Jones (Wellington), "That Grand Lodge take into consideration the matter of providing for and issuing a suitable badge from head office at cost price to all members requiring it. This was carried. I GRAND LODGE OFFICE. Rep. Rudkin moved, '' That the office of Grand Lodge be transferred to Wellington as being more central." This remit, seconded by Rep. Jones, was discussed by Reps. J. Skinner (Dunedin), D. F. Smillie (Palmerston North) and F. R. Phillips (Hokianga) and was lost. DISTRICT CONTROL. Rep. G. Rudkin (Wellington) moved, Rep. F. Jones seconding, "That the Boards of Control in the large centres be elected biennually by district lodges, and include the D.D.G.M. of each district." An amendment was .proposed by Rep. Simmons (Christcliurch) and seconded by Rep. A. J. Guy (Auckland), "That the constitution remain as at present, with the inclusion of the D.D.G.M. (ex officio) without being re-elected biennially.'' Rep. Rudkin (Wellington) spoke at length in favour of the remit. j Rep. McCullough (Canterbury) supported the amendment in a very definite manner. Discussion ensued between Representatives and Bros. Ritchie Evans, and Cooper (Deputy Grand Masters). The amendment was carried. REBEKAII MEMBERS. A remit to permit Rebekali members, to become associate honorary members of other Rebekah Lodges was upheld by ruling of the Grand Master. THE CONSTITUTION. A remit was considered to cause all amendments that have been carried by Grand Lodge since the 1922' Constitution was printed to be now. printed in leaflet form. « - Rep. G. F. Rudkin (Wellington) spoke in support of the remit. Rep. Marsden Woods (North Auckland) spoke in opposition to the remit, and maintained that it would be more practical to await the reprint of the Constitution from time to time and not to be bothering with slips of paper as clippings of such printed amendments. The remit was lost. A remit was proposed by Rep. Rudkin and seconded by Rep. Jones (Wellington), "That a copy of the text of the Past Grand's Degree be issued the D.D.G.M.'s." An amendment was proposed by Rep. J. Skinner (Dnnedin), "That the words provided that such D.D.G.M. 's are in possession of this degree' be added." Rep. I. Robertson (Southland) supported the amendment, which was carried. Rep. Rudkin (Wellington) and Rep. Geo. Graham (Hawke's Bay) moved that circular copies of all rulings and | proceedings be issued to all D.D.G.M. 's. Rep. Ivirkwood (South Auckland) and Rep. W. Bradley (North Otago) supported the remit, which was carried. DISTINCTIVE REGALIA. Rep. G. Fowke (Central Canterbury) proposed that a distinct collar or regalia be issued to D.D.G. Masters and to Grand Lodge Executive officers. The mover pointed out that there was no distinctive regalia, which differed from ..that worn by the Past Grands. Representative Simmons (Canterbury) seconded the remit. Representative Jones strongly supported the proposal and urged that a distinctive regalia for the higher officers be provided, if permissible. | Rep. Newbold, Past Grand Master A. H. Velentine, Reps. JMcCullough and Braddick and P.O. Master C. J. Talbot spoke. ! The motion was lost. GRAND LODGE DEGREE. At this stage Past Grands Bros. C. A. Johnstone, Ken. Watson, G. Kennerly and G. G. Carpenter, of Auckland, were admitted to receive the Grand Lodge degree, which was conferred by the Deputy Grand Master, Bro. D. R. Cooper, and they were welcomed by the Grand Master. A resolution of gratitude to the Deputy Grand Master for his services inconferring the Grand Lodge Degrees during the sessions was proposed by the Grand Master and carried. DOMINION MEDICAL SCHEME. At the evening session the Grand Master presided over a full meeting of delegates. Rep. G. Fowk (Ashburtori) proposed a remit to establish a Dominion medical scheme 011 the lines of the "Southern Cross" scheme, Wellington, to be controlled by the Grand Lodge. This was seconded by Rep. McCullough (Canterbury). Rep. G. F. Rudkin (Wellingto) spoke in support of the scheme, which in his opinion was the only real solution of

the medical phase of Friendly Society work. This scheme permitted members to consult their own doctor or any private doctor as patients and to pay 5 per cent, of the cost of consultation or visit. A number of Lodges of the 1.0.0. F. in the North and South Islands had adopted the scheme and would never revert to the lodge doctor. The day must come when Grand Lodge would adopt as a general scheme that which now existed in Lodges and had proved an unqualified success and met with the approval of the members of lodges, and of the British Medical Association. After discussion, the remit was withdrawn pending further information. OTAGO DISTRICT. A proposal that the Clutha District be named Otago East, and that Dunedin retain the old name of Otago South was moved by Reps. C. Bolten and J. Skinner (Dunedin) apd carried. FINANCING MORTGAGES. Rep. Evans moved the adoption of an 1.0.0. F. building scheme on the lines of a Building Society in order to enable members to purchase homes through the Order on easy terms. The remit was discussed by Reps. Smillie, Past Grand Master C. J. Talbot, Rep. McCullough and Grand Secretary F. Wilkinson. Grand Treasurer Ritchie moved that the Grand Trustees be instructed to investigate the possibilities of devising some scheme for enabling the 1.0.0. F. to permit its mem bers to repay mortgages on homes on easy terms, and that Rep. Evans be thanked for his time and trouble taken in this deserving cause of assisting members to secure a home on easy terms. This amendment was carried. GRAND SECRETARY. P.G.M. Bro. C. J. Talbot (Canterbury) gave notice to move at next Grand Lodge that the Constitution be amended to make the position of the Grand Secretary a permanent one, with three months' notice instead of an elective one every two years as at present. APPRECIATION. Rep. McCullough (Canterbury) tnoved a vote of appreciation to the Grand Trustees and local Boards of Control for the valuable services rendered to the Order. This was seconded by Rep.. G. Rudkin (Wellington) and carried unanimously. Grand Treasurer Bro. Ritchie moved that the sum of £10 10s be passed to enable a suitable jewel to be procured for the outgoing Grand Master as a token of appreciation of his services loyally rendered. This was seconded by Rep. 11. Clarke (South Canterbury) and carried. The Grand Master thanked all who had assisted him in making a success of his term which though strenuous, had proved a happy one. A motion of appreciation to the outgoing Past Grand Master was also proposed by Rep.' Simmons, seconded by Rep. G. Moody, and carried. Bro. Talbot replied ,expressing regret at parting with executive honours after eight years. The Grand Lodge adjourned at 10 p.m.