I.I.I.F. CONFERENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12094, 23 March 1925, Page 8

1.1.1. F. CONFERENCE

GRAND OFFICERS INSTALLED. IMPROVED SCALE OF BENEFITS CARRIED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 22. The Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows resumed the final session at Whangarei on Saturday. Representative F-owke (Ashburton) proposed a Dominion medical scheme on the lines of the Wellington district scheme. This was seconded by Representative Rudkin (Wellington), who strongly supported the scheme, which in his opinion was the only real solution to medical service of friendly societies. The greatest problem to be faced to-day was that members should be permitted! to consult their own doctors and obviate the necessity of lodge doctors. This scheme had now been accepted by lodges of the Independent Order in both Islands, and must eventually become universal. The British Medical Association approved of the system.

The remit was lest owing to incomplete data. It was resolved, on the motion of Representative Bolten (Dunedin), seconded by Representative Skinner, that Clutha district be named East Otago, apd Dunedin district retain the name of South Otago. A motion by Mr Percy Evans (Auckland), that a housing scheme for Oddfellows be prepared, was lost, and an amendment was carried that the mover be thanked for the pains taken with the remit, and that the Grand; Trustees be recommended to devise a scheme to enable members of the Order to pay off their homes on easy terms by mortgages, in addition to the flat mortgage as at present. Past Grand Master Talbot (South Canterbury) gave notice of a motion for the conference in 1927 to make the Grand Secretary’s office permanent instead of re-elective as at present. It was resolved that the salary of the Grand Secretary be increased to £SOO per annum. INCREASED BENEFITS.

A special finance committee, consisting of Grand Treasurer Deans (chairman, Dunedin), Grand Secretary F. Wilkinson (Dunedin), Past Grand Master Talbot (South Canterbury), and 14 secretaries from the North and South Islands, submitted a report of 23 recommendations. all of which were ultimately adopted after keen debate and exhaustive consideration at special night sessions. - Among them were remits to increase standard sick benefit to hew members to £1 per week immediately on joining for 52 weeks, and 10s per week for the remainder of sick- ! ness period; also to retain extended (funeral benefit of £250, and extended sick benefit of £2 per week; to increase the assessment 1o Grand Lodge management . fund from subordinate lodges ;to 9d up to 50 members, and 15d for | all oyer 50 members; that the Domin- | ion executive be recommended to submit an estimate of proposed receipts and expenditure to each biennial conference, in. order, to keep down expenses to inooma; that the registrar < arid actuary he asked to submit the quinhlcnnial valuation within* three months, arid that aiiy increase in sick, benefits allowable for present members from the surplus be permitted to operate immediately; that the executive of this society .confer with the Registrar ■of Friendly Societies .confirming this legislation and obtain a certificate testifying to the society having adequate tables of . contributions under Dominion consolidation of funds; that Grand Masters’ expenses be not fixed to a definite amount. ' , .

The Grand Officers installed by Grand Master Hooper wero os follow: —Grand Master D. R. Cooper (Auckland); Deputy Grand Master W. Simmons (Christchurch); Grand W’arden D. F. Smillie (Palmerston North); , Grand Secretary F. Wilkinson (Dunedin); Grand Treasurer. L. Deans Ritchie (Dunedin); " Past ' Grand M. Hooper; Grand:' Chaplain'J. McCullough (Christchurch)-; • Grand Marshal A. Guy, Auckland; Grand Conductor J. Skinner (Dujiedin); Grand Guardian H. R. Neal (Southland); Grand Herald G. F. Rudkin (Wellington). The Grand Lodge, adjourned until Saturday evening. - The Dominion Supervisor (Bro. W. F. Orooke (Auckland)., whose duties are to instruct secretaries and to consolidate lodges throughout the Dominion, was reappointed for a further term of two years.