ODDFELLOWSHIP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 8 April 1924, Page 4

ODDFELLOWSHIP

MANCHESTER UNITY

GRAND MASTER'S ADDRESS In the course of his address at the opening of the conference of Manchcstei Unity, New Zealand branch yesterday, the Grand Master (13ro. W. R. Gahagan said : "la extending you a hearty welcome to Sunny Nelson, .1 do so with the greatest, pleasure, and deem it- an honour and privilege, on this the occasion of the. twelfth Biennial Movable Conference. This is a unique gathering inasmuch as Nelson is the birthplace of the Manchester Unity in New Zealand, the first Lodge being opened here on the 7th April 1842. Also wo open this conference on the eighty-second birthday of the Loyal Nelson Lodge 3615, and it gives me the greatest possible pleasure, to extend to that Lodge and the district, the heartiest congratulations ol the Manchester Unity in New Zealand. This gathering is also unique as it was in Nelson where delegates from all parts of the. Dominion met to discuss the formation of the New Zealand branch, and during my term as Grand Master the branch attained its majority, completing 21 years of useful, work on the 171 It April 1923, and I trust, the work of this conference will achieve something that, will give to the Nelson B.M.C. a prominence in the. annals of the Manchester Unity. Reference was made to the loss the Society had sustained through the hand of death .during the past two years and among the names mentioned were those of P.G.M. Hvo. A. N. Batchelor of Nelson, P.D.G.M s, C. 11. Winny and R. Eollinson (North Canterbury), P.D.G.M. Pro. lb A. Whitaker' (Auckland) and P.D.G.M. Bio. J. Chambers (Ashburton). lie paid a tribite of appreciation and lespeei to the secretaries and other olfieers of the various districts and bodges who labour faithfully and persistently and at much personal self-sacrifice for the fraternity, and said the Society was dependent almost entirely upon the voluntary service for the principal portion of its administration, and it is fortunate in obtaining the gratuitous and valuable service enthusiastically rendered by so large a bouy of its members.

JUFEN LLE MEMBERSHIP

This question I earnestly commend to all districts and Lodges. I am quite satislied that great-results could be attained by the establishment of more Juvenile Lodges. 1 feel wo do not make the most of our opportunities. When we look this question in the face, what do we find ? Our members’ children joining other Societies, which are prepared to cater for the children of both sexes. Every child, hoy or girl, of a Manchester Unity member should belong to us. 1 am glad to see a remit on the Order Paper, Asking for a, table tor children from 3 years and upwards. 1 would like the Society to go further, and encourage the establishment of Cradle Rolls. We then could have our children members from birth; it means work, it means sacrifice. What is better? The greatest happiness to be found is in sincere sacrificial service, which tends to make us more fitted for the battle of life. I therefore earnestly appeal to sisters and brethren to use ‘their individual efforts in their Lodges to open • Juvenile Branches.

FEMALE MEMBERS

1 am proud of our sisters; everywhere I have been in connection with my Manchester Unity work, especially in the North Island the sisters have been' in great evidence. The enthusiasm and earnestness displayed has been very marked. They* are a conspicuous factor in promoting the social side of our work. After a careful study of the question I am convinced that mixed Lodges will lie an advantage to the Society. The ladies are a fine recruiting force; we want the ladies not only for their own interests, but, also for their children's welfare. They would see that their children are brought in to our Society. So far as Oddfellowship is concerned generally they are the potential mothers of our future members. Womens interest in, and association with our work, will prove to be a powerful asset.

VALUATIONS

It was net until the close of 1923 that the Actuary supplied interim copies of the quinquennial Valuation Reports to the districts and Lodges, (the oliicial reports ire not yet to hand) but permission was given to make appropriations on the interim reports. Thy valuations received disclose a very satisfactory position, at the same time, they remind us that we still have some deficiency Lodges. The position is as follows: Total gross surplus £117,595; total deficiencies £17,418; leaving a total net surplus £104,972. That great command “Bear ye ono a not hers burdens” seems to have been obeyed by the members of our Society in such a manner that deficiency Lodges will soon jie a thing of the past. At the Biennial Movable Conference in 1920 the then Grand Msater said “The grandest memorial wo can erect to the memory of those who sacrificed their lives in the, Great War, is to raise our Society to a plane of greater- achievement, let each one oi us "cut away from the past, from its prejudices, from all (he influences that prevent us from doing that which is grandest and best for (lie Manchester Unity. Let us obtain a wider vision and re-consecrate ourselves to the work of the noblest institution on earth, whose effort is the lessening of all human toil and suffering” Sisters and brothers, to a very large extent that has been achieved, through the "enerosity of our surplus Lodges, and i venture to predict that the 1925 Quinquennial valuations will disclose a much more satisfactory financial, position in all Lodges under our jurisdiction. We have witnessed a great change The strong have stepped into the breach and helped the weaker Lodges right nobly. .No longer can the scorner point to us and say “your rich lodges are not playing the game.” They have lilted the Society on. to a plane of grander acl<ieveni|eiit{ Grander because it has called for sacrifice Several districts have risen to the occasion anil what 1 say of the North Canterbury district, might also he said of them. Let us rejoice in tiie fact that the Loyal City of Christchurch Lodge initiated a movement which v.ill cost it £2OOO and loyally backed by the other surplus lodges will result ill the surplus lodges of that district contributing over £4OOO towards making sure, that the members of the deficiency lodges will receive their benefits when the time comes. Brethren, X am deeply stirred by the wonderful change of sentiment, by the noble anci generous spirit, which is sweeping through the Society. Long may it continue, and may the recipients merit what is being done for them. Sisters and brethren, need 1 assure vou how greatly I felt the honour conferred upon me two years ago in my election as head of this important an flourishing section of the Manchester Unity in New Zealand. It was with feelings of trepidation that I accepted this high office. I can now only say it has been my earnest endeavour to justity the choice vou then made, by carrying out my duties to the satisfaction of the Society in general. Durin g my term of office it has been my privilege to visit many districts and Lodges in various parts of the Dominion. Everywhere I was well received; there

were liu-- meetings, most enthusiastic, cheering in the extreme, and-the pleasure evinced by the sisters and brethren at being able'to meet the head of the Society for the lime being, was only equalled by the pleasure it gave me to greet them in their own Manchester Unity circle. I wish to express my grateful thanks for the many kindnesses extended 10 me, as well as the hospitality lavished upon me by’ one and all. I feel sure that great good results from a Grand Master's visit to any Lodge or District. I trust these visits will be made possible to my successors. I am so hopeful of the lasting benefit to be derived by the Society from such visits, that 1 would suggest that an amount- be placed at the disposal of the Society Officers, to enable the Grand Master to make these official visits without too great a strain on his purse. The Manchester Unity is a great organisation ia which y r ou and I are engaged, built upon loving labour, noblest self-sacrifice, and the most careful guardianship, by the heroes of the pftst and present-. Now what are we going to contribute to its efficiency? If we are top'eceive of its benefits during the days of'darkness, we should surely give our service in the hours of our youth and young manhood. It is only’ by selfdenial and the expenditure of much toil, that the record can be maintained, noble and unsullied. If the Manchester Unity is to remain a factor of real importance, we must realise it has a solemn charge upon each one, of us, to act up to the promises we. made when we were admitted members. We have tables and contributions and liberal benefits, and if I may say’ without. vellection, we are the envy of the whole of the Friendly Societies of the world. Bui. have wc not in later days failed to realise that, the Manchester Unity stands for more than £.s.d.

We should fully realise the truth, that it teaches great ideals, it presents to all men and women opportunities* dor service, and that service if given in sincerity, means happiness. It endeavours to lead men and women along lines of right, appreciation of their responsibilities and trust. I believe men "and women are longing more and more for the kindly sympathetic brotherhood; it is in votir hands and mine to extend.

Let us therefore press forward in a sustained endeavour to promote and extend our beneficent work through

land. I now declare the 12th Biennial Movable Conference opened for the transaction of business, in friendship, love and truth.