FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21552, 25 July 1933, Page 14

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

ACTIVITIES OF ORDERS CONFERENCE RESOLUTION UNEMPLOYED LODGE MEMBERS At tho Inst meeting of the Auckland 1 • nitoil Friendly Societies' Conference, after a debate on the questions of unemployed members' contributions, the following resolution was forwarded to the Dominion Conference for consideration at tlm next regular session of that body:—"'(1) That, as the moneys sanctioned by the Registrar of Friendly Societies to be drawn from our funds for the purpose of paying tho sick and funeral dues of unemployed members are insufficient to meet the total liabilities of the members concerned, it follows that unemployed members are unable to secure the protection under the benefit schemes to which they havo been regular subscribers in the past. (2) That, as the effect of this has already depicted tho membership of lodges to a very serious extent and is a definite obstacle against securing new members, thus adding to the drain on tho funds of charitable and benevolent bodies dealing with distress among tho unemployed, tho registrar bo respectfully asked to consider the following request: in the fullest and most fraternal sense all the many claims that must arise for souio tune to come from unemployed members, and in view of tho fact that there is no other source from which to pay these in full, it is recommended that permission bo sought to transfer the whole, or such portion as may bo required, of the profit and/or profits accruing from all or any of the funds of any friendly society desirous of making provision for its unemployed members. (4) It is further suggested that, having regard to the fact that membership of friendly societies is stationary at present, tho contingent liabilities will not increaso and wo will bo able to carry on tho principal tenet of our several orders, 'assistance to our brothers in time of need,' and, as before stated, relieve tho Government and the various charitable and benevolent bodies of the need to assist members who, through no fault of their_ own, have ceased membership in friendly societies." At this meeting the president, Bro. C. Westphal, presided and a fair number of delegates were in attendance. A remit regarding medical fees was sent on to the Medical Institute to be dealt with. It was decided to recommend to the Dominion Conference that members receiving hospital treatment at institutions outside their own district should bo charged at tho same rate as that of their own hospital. P.P. Bro. Gregory was congratulated upon his election as grand vice-president of the V.A.O.D.

Then; was a good attendance at the Methodist Hall, Onehunga, on Thursday evening, when the Enterprise Lodge, 1.0. G.T., held an open night. A splendid programme was given by the Salvation Army songsters, city corps, under the leadership of I3ro. Barlow. A very pleasant evening was spent at the last meeting of tho Loyal Dominion Lodge, M.U.T.0.0.F., when the noblo grand, Bro. Wood, presided over a largo gathering. Tho routine business was speedily transacted, after which flag 500 was played. Tho Light of Manukau Lodge, 1T.A.0.D., met in the Foresters' Hall, Onehunga, arch Druid Bro. McDermott presiding. Thero was a good attendance. Bro. Gregory, G.V.P., gave the lodge information concerning the affairs of grand lodge. A ladies' night was arranged for August 21, and all tho sitting officers, with power to add, were constituted a committee to arrange this function. A committee was also formed to inquire into tho possibility of purchasing bowls for tho use of tiie lodge, and to report next meeting. Bro. Stone's orchestra, and Bros. Haskell, Mackay and H. Wells later contributed items. Tho Mizpah Rebekah Lodge, No. 18, 1.0.0. F., held its usual fortnightly meeting last week, Sister E. Purdon, N.G., conducting tho business of tho evening. There was a large attendance nnd a pleasant time was spent in community singing. The Light of Penrose Lodge, 1.0. G.T., met last week, tho C.T., Bro. Tarlton, presiding over a good attendance of members and visitors. The G.S.J.W. later took the chair. The programme for tho evening was given by the visiting lodges. The Loyal Remuera Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., has held several successful meetings since celebrating its 21st anniversary. Thfc past grands and brothers' nights were both excellently arranged, vocal <ind instrumental items, <Jancing and competitions all finding a place in tho programmes. Tho membership is increasing rapidly. The Star of Newmarket Lodge, U.A.0.D., met in tho Council chambers lodge room, Bro. Lentfer, A.D., presiding over a good attendance. Bro. Luinkin was elected vice-arch bard, being installed by P.D.P. Bro. J. Blakcniore, assisted by P.D.P. Bro. Mackay as presenting officer. A 10port of the A.U.F.S. conference was given by the lodge delegate, Bro. Blakcniore. Tho programme included items by Bros. J. Potter, F. Hampton, W. Smart, Page and Mackay, Bro. Turner being tho accompanist. Court Awanui, A.0.F., held a largely-attended community singing evening in the Foresters' Hall 011 Friday. Bro. J. Cosson acted as song leader. Items were given by Miss Cowie, Mesdaines Shaklers, H. Subritzky, Bros. Shalders, Harrison, Gardener, O. and G. Cosson, Tyler, Miller and McCorniack. The Youthful Enterprise Temple, J.0.G.T., met at Onehunga on Thursday evening, tho C.T., Sister C. McCarthy, presiding. After the business a quoit competition was played. On Saturday afternoon a party from the Temple visited the Princess Mary Children's Hospital and gave an entertainment to tlie young people there. Bro. Mulholland, a member of tho Hospital Board, thanked the juveniles for their lino programme, and Bro. Pace replied. The Loyal Waitoa Lodge, M.1F.1.0.0.F., held its usual meeting last week, the noble grand, Bro. Gal--lichan, presiding over a good attendance. A bowling competition between married and single members was won by the latter.