THE ODDFELLOWS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 9 April 1924, Page 9

THE ODDFELLOWS

BIENNIAL MOVABLE CONFER-

ENCE

The Conference continued in session after we went to press yesterday afternoon, when the following additional business was transacted under remits : JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP Bro. Young (Auckland) moved that the following clause he added to General Rule 32: “(a) Districts may adopt rules for the admission of members (male and female) from the age of three years, and make provision for the government and benefits assured to such members (herein called Junior Members) until they arrive at the age spefied in the District or Lodge Rules at which adult members may he initiated in accordance with General Rules 103 and 130. Such rules shall provide for the admission of members for the following purposes: —(b) Funeral benefits graduated in amount according to ageT (e) Medical benefits; (d) Junior members shall he deemed members for the purposes of such assurances, and foi the purposes of secession, as provided in Rule 29, but nob for any other purpose. If. on arriving at the age of 16 years, a junior member shall (within three months thereafter) produce a satisfactory medical certificate of good health, he or she shall he initiated an adult member of the Lodge, and pay contributions and receive benefits in accordance with General Rules 103 and 130. If the member does not produce satisfactory evidence e.f good health, ho or she may continue his or her status of an ordinary junior member for a further period of 12 months; (o) Should the member at the end of such further period not produce satisfactory evidence of good health, the member may continue assured for a fune.ral benefit of £lO on payment of a contribution of 3s per annum, the assurance and contribution to continue during the whole of life. No management expenses shall ho charged to such member. Snob member to he a member for this purpose and for the purpose of secession only : (f) Provision must be made in (lie District Rules for flic funeral liability of junior members and members of juvenile branches to be undertaken by'the District; the amounts payable by the Lodge on account of such liability must he set forth and to the Directors for their sanction."

Bro. McLeod seconded the motion. J> was, Tie thought, generally agreed that they must do something to got in touch with the children. In some scattered districts it was not possible to establish juvenile lodges, but the children could be brought in under the clause proposed. lie trusted the scheme would go through, and commended it to tlie society as a splendid recruiting force for tne Manchester Unity. In answer to a question Bro. McLeod said the clause would in no way 'interfere with juvenile lodges already in existence.

The remit was carried. Bro. Aitken (Auckland) moved, seconded bv Bro. Pritchard (Ashburton), that the following new clause be added to General Rule 32: “Every junior member shall, previous to b:s or her admission, be examined by the lodge medical officer, or, if there should be none, by some satisfactory" duly qualified medical practitioner, and obtain a satisfactory medical certificate of his or her health.” —-Carried.

Bro. Neels (Auckland) moved the following additional clause to General Rule 43:

“Should the valuation of a consolidated District show a surplus of assets over liabilities, the District shall, subject to the provisions of the Friendly Societies’ Act, pay the percentage of such surplus to the Defici uny Lodges’ Relief Fund,* in accord.nee with General Rule 27, and such further percentage of the surplus as may be arranged towards the Lability of the War Members’ Relief,Fund, and thereafter, with the consent of a District Conference, and the Board of Directors, apply to the Registrar for liberty io appropriate such surplus in accordance with the provisions of the Friendly Societies’ Act-.” The mover said the object of the motion was to enable consolidated districts to deal with surpluses. Seconded by Bro. Dean (Auckland) and carried without discussion.

CLEARANCES OR TRANSFERS

in connection with an Auckland vomit dealing with the re-numbering of clauses in Rule 50, Rro. Pritchard (Ashburton) moved as an amendment that a new clause be added to Rule 50 tc- read as follows: —“Members may apply for clearances under Sections A or B, provided that all members under the New Zealand Branch applying lor clearances to Lodges or Districts within the Branch shall be governed bv Section A.”

Tho amendment was lost and the alteration was approved.

Tliroe other remits from Auckland dealing with the same rule were withdrawn.

REGALIA

Bro. Ambridge (Auckland) moved a remit dealing with collars and ribbons. He said the object of the remit was to obtain uniformity. Seconded by Bro. McLeod, who referred to the differences in regalias in various countries. It was desired,to get as close to the parent body as possible so far as regalia was concerned. He considered it unnecessary to have lettering on the regalias—the colour should be sufficient to denote the office. The motion was carried.

OTHER REMITS

A remit was carried on the motion of Bro. Dean (Auckland), empowering the Noble Grand to appoint a quuli-

tied member to replace the deputy chosen to attend a district conference who might be prevented- from attending.

A NARROW VOTE

On behalf of Wellington, Bro. Gledliill moved the business of Conference be so arranged to allow discussions on various questions to he taken prior to the election of officers and not before. The mover said that if this was done it would give the younger members who were worthy of advancement a chance if becoming known.

Seconded by Bro. -Blair. In the ensuing discussion somemembers took the view 'that if the remit Mils carried it would prove at “electioneering” ; whilst on the other hand it was held that the p. esent order of procedure was preferable.

The remit was put- and lost on a narrow .division by 19 votes to 20. Bro. Gledhill (Wellington) moved a amendment to Rule 68 to the effect that no secretary should hold a dual position. The amendment was seconded by Bro. Blair. After considerable discussion the amendment was withdrawn.

Bro. Quigley (Hawke’s Bay) moved an amendment to Rule JO3, Clause 1. dealing with the ballot for the election of members, viz., “Three black balls shall exclude a candidate up to a total of 30 members voting thereon, thence one black in ten of all members voting.” Bro. Archibald seconded. Several members spoke in favour of tho remit, and congratulated the mover on the lucid manner in which lie had brought forward the question. Carried unanimously. Bro. Syers (Auckland), moved that a new clause he added to General Rule 103. to the effect “That no member shall vote in a Lodge other than his own, excepting in terms of General Rule 108, Clause 3, and General Rule 129. Clause 2.”

Bro. Am bridge seconded. Carried

Several amendments dealing with minor alterations to General Rules wore accepted on the voices. , Bro. McMillan (Auckland), moved on amendment to General Rule 111, Clause 1, to the following effect: “That to qualify a Vice-Grand fathat offi :o-ho must have taken the four minor decrees and served the office of Elective Secretary one term or sitting oi any other office two terms or sitting.” Carried.

The suggested amendment to Rule 112 giving power fo the District Management Committee to veto the election of any person to the position •if Financial Secretary, moved by Bro. Thomas (Auckland), was discussed at length; It. was agreed to amend the remit to read afollows :—Clause (7) “The District Committee of Management shall have power to veto the election of or remove any person appointed as Financial Secretary from office.” Carried unanimously.

Conference adiournod at 5.46 p.m until 9 n.m. on Thursday.