ODDFELLOWS’ CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4395, 28 June 1901, Page 3

ODDFELLOWS’ CONFERENCE.

APPOINTMENT OP A MOVABLE COMMITTEE. A conference of delegates ’of the Man. cheater Unity Oddfellows from the vari. ous districts of New Zealand wa 8 opened in the Manchester ‘Unity Chambers, Lambton quay, yesterday morning. Bro. G. Head, the P.G.M., assisted by Bros. A. Perrin, P.D.G.M., and Bro. “J. Kershaw, P.C.S., opened the mooting, and on behalf of the Wellington district extended a hearty ‘welcome to the delegates, expressing the hope that the deliberations of the conference would tend to the lasting benefit of 'the order in the colony. Bro. .T. Smith, Jun., P.P.G.M., was elected president of the ’conference, and Bro. McLeod, C.S., of Auckland, the secretary. The following certificates were handed in‘by the delegates:—Auckland district, Bro. McLeod, C.S.; Ashbhrton district, Bro. A. Paterson, P.P.G.M.; Ashley district, Bros.' J. Marshall, P.P.6.M., and Crampton, P.P.G.M.; Hokitika dis. trict, Bro. I. O'Brien, P.P.G.M.; Wanganui district, Bro. Browning, P.P.G.M.; Wellington district, Bros. J. Smith, D. P. Loasby, and J. Kershaw, P.P.G.M.'s; Nelson district, Bros. 'J. Thomas, P.P.G.M., and A. S. Batchelor, P.P.G.M.; Hawke’s Bay district, Bro. J. B. Fielder. P.C.S.; Motuoka -district, Bro. Everett, P.P.G.M. New Plymouth was not represented through the death of the appointed delegate, but telegraphed that it Wrongly supported the formation of a Movable Committee. It was resolved, on the motion of Bro. Browning, "That this conference deeply sympathise with the New Plymouth district in the loss that district has sustained by the death of Bro. Bellringer, late Prov. C. The following was adopted ns the basis of the voting power of districts represen tod at the conference; - Auckland, 2562 members, 5 votes; Ashburton, 380, 2; Ash. ley, 877, 3; Hokitika, 300, 2; Wanganui, 500. 2; Wellington. 1700, 5; Nelson. 750, 3; Hawke’s Bay, 1002, 1; Motueka, 399, 2; New Plymouth, 680, 3." Bro. McLeod, P.C.S., of Auckland, moved that a movabTc committee and board of directors be appointed for Now Zealand in connection with the Manchester Unity. Bro. D. P. Loasby, P.P.G.M.. seconded the ‘resolution, and both speakers pointed out the advantages to be gained by the adoption of such a course as proposed in very able and eloquent addresses. The resolution was carried. Mr Mason, Registrar of Friendly Societies, attended and addressed the meeting, congratulating the Order on the resolution carried. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Mason for his address. On the motion of P.P.G.M. Everitt. it was unanimously decided that the registered office bs in Wellington. Bro. Kershaw, P.C.S., moved that a committee be set up to go into the question of expense on the basis of two meetings per annum of Board of Directors >’n Wellington and biennial movable meetings.—Carried. A committee of five was set up, and the conference then adjourned from 12.15 p.m. to 3 p.m., to enable the committee to report. On resuming the report was received and it was decided there should be a G.M., D. O.S. and a board of five directors. •It was resolved on the motion of Bro.. Loaaby, P.P.G.M., that the levy for the first year be 5d per member and be collected in two half-yearly payments. P.P.G.M. Bro. A. N. Batchelor moved that each district pay the expenses of its delegate or delegates to the first meeting of the Movable Committee It was decided that the first meeting of the Biennial Movable Committee he held on the 17th April, 1902. A provisional committee, consisting of Bros. Loashy, Leslie, J. Smith, junr.. P.P.G.M.'s. ami Bro. Kershaw. P.C.S.. with power to add to I heir numb"! - , was appointed to receive suggest : ou?. draft rules, etc., for submission to <he first meeting of the Movable Commit Ice. The delegates were re'inested (o urge upon their respective districts (he i-dvisa. I,'ilih of sending recommendations to the Provisional Committee. ■» It was resolved that the representation for each district at the first meeting of the Movable Committee to be held in Wellington should bo one delegate for 500

members, ami one delegate f« every additional 000 members nr part thereof membership to be determined by last returns. The terminated with votes or thanks to Bro. J. Smith junr., tor presiding Bro. John McLeod tor acting as secretary, the Britannia and Antipodean .Lodges for tho use ot tiie hall. to the "press for reporting the proceedings of the meeting. ~ ~ At the close of the meeting the brethren sang "God Save tho King,