ODDFELLOWS CONFER

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12093, 21 March 1925, Page 6

ODDFELLOWS CONFER

HOME FOR ORPHANS. PAYMENT OF MATERNITY BONUS. Per Press Association. WHAN GAR. El, March 20. At the Grand ( Lodge conference of the 1.0.0.F.N.Z. a long discussion took place on a proposal to establish a home for orphans, and the question, was finally referred to a committee for consieferation, whose report is to be presented to the Grand Lodge session two years hence. > The question of reforming the methods of election in the Order was also deferred 1 till the next Grand Lodge conference. It was resolved to 6eek legislation from the sovereign Grand Lodge with a view to the admission of Maori members. A proposal was adopted to ask the National Provident Fund to pay ' £6 maternity bonus in the case of. members in isolated- districts who unsuccessfully tried to obtain the services of a doctor or registered nurse. A proposal to establish a soldiers’ me morial in a form to benefit the living was referred to the executive. VISITORS WELCOMED.

Representatives of the Australasian Grand Lodge, Brothers L. Deans, Ritchie, A. H. Valentine, and F. Wilkinson (Dunedin), George Adams, D. R. Cooper, and W. J. Crooke (Auckland) visited the Grand Lodge in session officially this afternoon. The Grand' Master extended a cordial Welcome, and congratulated the' Grand Treasurer, Brother Ritchie, ou his elevation to the executive of the Grand Lodge of Australasia. Brother Ritchie replied, acknowledging nis appointment as an honour to New Zealand. It was resolved, on the motion of Brother F. Rudkin (Wellington) that a suiahle badge of the society be issued by the Grand Lodge to members, at cost price. iV motion to transfer the office of the Grand Lodge from Dunedin ' to iVellington was lost. It was resolved that district deputy Grand Masters be members of boards of control cx officio. The Grand Master ruled that Rn bekan members may become associate honorary members of another Rebeknli lodge. A remit to print in leaflet form all amendments to the constitution since 1923 was debated. Brother Marsden Woods (North Auckland), opposing it on the grounds that it would .'be more practical to renrint the constitution. The remit was lost. A remit proposed by Brother George Rudkin (W'ellington). seconded by Brt, tKer Jones (W'ellington), to issue the text of a copy of the Past Grands degree to ail district deputies who mty be in possession of the degree was carried. A. motion proposed bv. Brother Geo. Fowke (Ashburton) that distinction regalia be designed, and provided for executive offiocre and district deputy Grand Masters, was seconded by Brother W. Simons (Canterbury), and lost. DFGR.ES CONFERRED. The Grand luxlge degree was cm ferred on P.G.M.’s C. A. Jo ! ’"rto.-c, Kerr, Watson, G. Kennerly, and G. G. Carpenter (Auckland) by Deputy Gland Master D. G. Cooper. The sessions will continue till a late hour to-night, and conclude on Saturday. SOCIAL FUNCTIONS. In the evening the delegates were

entertained in a 40-mile motor run to Waro lirhe rocks, Hikurangi, and Whangarei falls, bv the. Wbangarei branch of the Automobile Association, and welcomed by Brother Bloom. Hardie on behalf of the Hikurangi Oddfellows Lodge. The visitors were tremendously with the scenic attractions of North Auckland. j The delegates to the Australasian conference to represent New Zealand in Melbourne in 1926 were elected today, in the persons of Brothers L. 'Deans Ritchie (Dunedin), D. R. Cooper (Auckland), A. H. Valentine (Dunedin). M, J. Hooper W. Simons (Christchurch), George A3ams (Auckland). C. J- Talbot (Canterbury)? with 3>. F. Smillie (Palmerston North) as alternative representative. The conference will consider the finance committee’s report on Saturday, also the question ,of increased benefits, and the question of reappointment of the Dominion supervisor, Mr W. F. Crooke.