THE ODDFELLOWS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 7 April 1922, Page 5

THE ODDFELLOWS

HELPING DEFICIENCY LODGES

(By Telegraph—Special to Mail) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. At the biennial conference of the Manchester Unitv, Independent Order of Oddfellows, Bro. E. W. Watt, P.G.M:. (Ashburton) moved the following remit: That in view of the fact that the mining industries are an absolutely essential factor in the commercial, industrial and domestic lile of New Zealand, it is not consonant with the principles of tho Manchester Unity that the brethren of mining lodges should he called upon to bear the whole cost of their hazardous occupation, and as the growing deficiencies in the lodges of the united Westland district have in great part been caused by the operations of tho mining industries their burden should be shared by the Society. Bro. Watt then referred to the bad position oi the West Coast lodges, only three of which showed a surplus. The positions of the lodges were as follows: Greymouth (92 members), surplus £660, Westport (125) surplus £lh4o, Charleston (26) surplus £577 Kumara (35) deficiency £llßs, Reeftou (121) deficiency £519, Denniston (33), deficiency £B5l, Blackball (58) deficiency £202, Ngakawau (57) deficiency £(82; total surpluses £2782; total deficiencies £3950. Bro. Watt therefore moved tho following addition to the rules; Subject to the united Westland district accepting and carrying into effect n system of consolidation whereby the whole of the funds of (the deficiency lodges and such part of the funds ol any surplus lodge as arc equal to its liiihilities as actiiarily ascertained bo paid into a centralised .fund; the amount required to provide 20/- ol assets io 20/- of liabilities in the central fund at the date of its creation he contributed pro rata by the surplus districts and lodges in the boConsiderable, and at times vei.v warm discussion, took place on tlu» position of lodges on tho West Coast, Several members supported the proposal to help these lodges Bro. Saiek (Wanganui) stated that the Wanganui district had been in a similar position some years ago, bub the membeis of tho surplus lodges had assisted the deficiency lodges till the latter also had surpluses. He did not approve ot any district taking advantage of the generosity of the New Zealand .ranch without making any adequate attempt to help itself. , ~ Bro. Watt, in reply, said that tin. surplus lodges of Westland could not he expected to do more lor Dio deficiency lodges there than any ot le surplus lodges .in the New Zealand branch. He thought all should help in tlio work and thus demonstrate the true principles of Oddfellowslup. He did not advocate, that something should bo done for *thp M ost Coast till it had done something to help n«P]f Better management would nave to lie introduced and mistakes such as had been made in the past must bo Watt’s motions were carried.

(United Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, April 6. ! The Oddfellows’ Conference passed a resolution that a deputation romprising representatives of all friendly societies should interview the I icmier with a view to having the Mutual Provident Act amended in tho direction of allowing exemption of ioO for each child of a member of a fi iendlv society when assessing parents mJme Similar to the income tax exemption already m force. Also to withdraw from participating in the Government’s after-discharge sickness scheme pertaining to soldier memhors, and to repeal the resolution of a toiler conference authorising the keeping pf an after-discharge sickness fund account.