INDEPENDENT ORDER OF RECHABITES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13210, 17 February 1905, Page 3

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF RECHABITES

The biennial meeting of tho New Zealana Central District, of the _ above order was resumed yesterday morning, all the representatives being present. Bro. R. Farrant., of Dunedin Tent-,' proposed a motion that tho district bears tiie initial expenses, in opening juvenile tents, providing the cost does not exceed £5. After discussion, it was resolved that flic district, nay £2 10s towards the establishment of any new juvenile, tent; Tho report of the committee set up to revise tho female laws was received, recommending that the funeral donation lie increased from £10 to £15, and that females pay half half contributions and receive half benefits. On the proposition of Bro. Sherwood, seconded by Bro: Wesney, the report was, after an hour and a-half's discussion, carricd by an overwhelming majority, TUB ASt.UfIAMATIOX QUIiSTIOX. The report of the Amalgamation Committee was received a' follows:—Your committes begs to report having met the representatives of the Xorth Island, anil has unanimously agreed that the following lio the basis upon which the New Zealand Central District is prepared to amalgamate: — 1. That we constitute one combined district for New Zealand, to be called the New Zealand District, with its head office in Wellington. 2. That in t-hr proposed amalgamation of the above, districts it- shall be.essential that a scale of contributions be fixed which shall have been actuarially certified to as the lowest possible basis to ensure safety. 3.Sick Benefits: Recommended as laid down in General Law No. .12 of the New Zealand Central District, with such modifications as may be passed at this council meeting. 4. Funern! Benefits: Recommended that these benefits be in accordance with General Law No. 2S of the New Zealand Central District. 5. New Scale of Contributions: Recommended that any new scale shall apply to all members joining alter tho same shall have been accepted by the two districts, and that members initiated prior to the alteration of the scalo may continue at the old rates of payments and benefits. 0. On the adoption of the recommendations by both District Councils, application be nndc to the High Movable Conference for permission to amalgamate, and that the district ofliccrs of both districts havo power to confer and prepare a set of general laws and submit same to next council meeting. 7. Recommended that the Neir Zealand District appoint delegates to approach the Sons and Daughters of Temperance with a view to amalgamation. Bro. Wesney (Invcrcargill), in an i.hio speech, proposed the adoption of the report, and thought the basis should meet with the approval of the representatives. Bro. Jellyman (Blenheim) seconded the adoption of tho report. Bro. Cole (Dunedin considared that the question of amalgamation with the Sons and Daughters of Tempcranco should bo made a separate matter, a, proposal wlifch it was resolved to adopt. After Bros, Stead, TJttley, and Rosevear had spoken, the report of the Amalgamation Committoo was adopted with much enthusiasm. The matter of amalgamation with tho Sons and Daughters of Temperance was then discussed, and on the proposition of Bro. Cole, seconded by_ Bro. Fathers, a deputation was appointed to wait on tlie order in question with a- view to union. The District Chief Ruler (Bro. Vhitaker) congratulated- tho Auckland District representatives on tho bas : s arrived at, and hoped the consummatioi of union would soon be an accomplished fact. In a pleasing spccch Bro. Stallworthy. (Auckland District) replied, thanking tho brethren for the earnest attention they had given to the matter. GENERAL. Tent No. 54, Gisborno, moved to allow of females joining a .male tent at half rates (instead of two-thirds rate) and allowing them, halt benefit The representative spoke pointing out f-iie injustico of charging females two-thirds contribution ami receiving half benefit. Sister Smith (Invcrcargill) seconded tho proposition, which was carried unanimously. T'ent No. 20, Dunoilin, moved—"That, when deemed advisable, tents may establish an auxiliary fund, into which may be placed any balanco remaining in tho management fund, after the expenses of (ho current quarter have been paid, and suoh other contributions as the. members may determine, and from which shall bo paid such sums as may Iks voted for tho promotion of temperance, benevolence, and such other objects the tent may approve."—Bro. Cole (Dunedin) spoko in support..—Bro. Goer (Wellington) seconded the proposition— Brew. James (Levin), Fathers (Nelson), Farrant (Dunedin), Fraser (district iccretary), Gaudm (Wellington), White and Hopkins [New Plymouth). Taylor (Christchiiroii), Stead (Invercar;;ill), Groom (Ormondville), Jeljyman (Blenheim) spoke on the motion, which was carried. Tent No. 27, Tnvereargill, brought forward the following proposition to amend rule 52:—"If any member shall at any iimo recoive sick allowance under this rnw and shall recover, and again become entitled to such aljowanee within 12 calendar months after having ceased- to receive the same, the time during which lie shall have previously received suoli allowance shall be <'<■■''ileil against .him in the same manner as if lie had not- received «ueh allowance, and he shall be plnctxl in tlio same position as when he ceased to receive such allowance." Bro. Kisseli (.Tnvereargill) promised (he motion in support.—Bro. Cooper •Invereargill) seconded the motion.—A suenrestion was made that the mattel' be withdrawn in Dyvour of a. proposal made bv the Dunedin Tent on somewhat similar linea to that emanating from the Tnvereargill rent, proposal being clearer in regard to tlie sickness being a recurrence of the iircvioiis one. The suggestion was adopted. Discussion ensued on the motion bv Bros Farrant. Stead. Saunders. Uttley,'firoom' Clark, White. Saunders, Uttky. and Jelly, man.—An amendment to alter'the time from ' W." to " 6'! was lost bv 25 votes to 21. A further amendment, to alter the time from "12" to "9" was also lost. The motion was finallv carried. council adjourned at 12.15, The council niumed at % p.m.. Salaries and allowances for (lie ensiling 12 months were agreed to. A proposition bv Tnvereargill to amend Rule 54, by deleting several words, to brin? tho rule into harmony with a proposed fin'flnvfcion lo Another rulo. was withdrawn bv consent, the original proposition having l>?en withdrawn. A motion introduced lrv the Tnwrorgill Tout, with resp»ct to contributions and fines, was lost, after .discussion. On behalf of Tnvereargill Tent, Bro. Wesnev moved—"That any.member owing 28 weeks' contributions niav at a. quarterly piceting of the test he fined a sum equal to tho amount, owing, and may lie sued for the amount. >n nnv competent court of jurisdiction."—Bro. Cooper (Invcrearijiil) t.he motion.—After Bros. Hopkins, .Telly-man, Fraser, Fathers. Yuman, and Cole had spiken the motion was put and lost. B r r>. TTtt-ley. of tho Dunedin Tent, moved —"That district obtain, two sets of funeral ret',ilia: olio set to be kept at tlio district office, and one set. at Dunedin. Tents requiring use of sime to nay all costs of traps, mission, etc."—Tho motion was seconded by Bro. Farrant; Bros. Rosevear, Nasmit.h, Stead, and .Cole.tal-ine part in the discussion. which ultimately resulted in the motion being thrown onf.

Bro. Goer, oir bnJialf of No. 1 Tent, Wellington, moved—'"That R'u'e 90 be.struck out, and in lieu thereof the following be inserted: 'There shall be a minute secretary and ono visiting steward. Tho latter shall

j visit an sick members and pay them their j sick allowance, and keep them good oti books of the tent, and see that no imposition of any kind lie practised upon the tent."—Bro." Youman seconded.—After a short'discussion tho'motion was defeated. The' as... to bow many members constituted a quorum for 'a tent- meeting was raised by tho Gisborno Tent, the representative suggesting that the number be five. The matter evolved much discussion, it. being finally resolved that tho number to form a quorum bo threo., A recommendation was received, from the Gisborne Tent—" That all juvenile tents- in tho New Zealand Central District be registered, and that, with a view of registering the same, tho rules as drafted by tho Registrar of Friendly Societies be considered by the district meeting." The report of the committee appointed to revise these rules was received as follows:— 1. That where any juvenile branch gives sick or funeral benefits the contributions must be in conformity with the laws and regularly '.ransinitled to the district. 2. That the funeral contributions be: from eight years to 12 years, 2d; 12 years to 16 years, dd per quarter. !i. Re Model Laws: That this committee is of the opinion that the district cannot work under the model laws submitted for consideration, and thai tho question be left v.'ifh our District Secretary and Bro. W. J. Candin to interview the Registrar of Friendly Societies and endeavour to get a permissive clause embodied in file objects of the society that will allow juvenile tents to work upon lines similar to those that have been in use in the past. 4. That we are of tho opinion that £7 30s granted is insufficient- to suitably provide prir.es that will encourage the members to work for increased membership, and that the amount be £10. It. C. Grooic it. H. Taylor John 11. Kissell ' V. Jas. (laudin Matthew (1. Naismith T, Fathers, D.5.1.8. li. FarrantOn the motion ol Bro. Fathers, seconded by llro. Groom, the report was adopted. The Superintendent of Juvenie Branches (Bro. Fathers) reported that Sis. H. Kissell, of Invcrcargill, was the winner of Bro. Rash's gold medal, slio having introduced the most member.; into the juvenile branch during the past two years. On behalf (if tho Invereargill -juveniles Bro. Kissell thanked Bro. Rash and the order f or tho handsome medal. Tent No. 19, Wellington, through Bro. Gaudin, proposed—" That the district officers be instructed to communicate with the various districts in tho Australasian colonies for tho purpose of arranging a. transfer scheme, so that members leaving one district 'for another should pay tho same rate of contributions and receive the samo privileges; the scheme to be discussed at the District Council to ho held in 1907."—8r0. Stead (Invereargill) seconded tho motion.—After Bros. Fraser and Colo had spoken tho motion was put and carried. Bro. Wesney, of Invcrcargill Tent, moved—" That the District Treasurer refund to the treasurer of the Tent Lily of the South all contributions paid by such tent in excess to the correct amount which should have been paid.' 1 Bro. Wesney explained the circumstances—Bro. Cole seconded the motion, ivliich was unanimously agreed to. The committee recommended that the levy bo Is 2d per member per quarter, or, if new rules be required. Is 2),d.—lt was resolved that new rules be printed, and that tho levy be Is 2Jd. The election of ofliccrs resulted as follows:—Past District Chief Ruler, Bro. J. Whitakcr (New Plymouth); District Chief Ruler,' Bro. S. F. Sherwood (Dunedin); District Deputy Ruler, Bro. .T. 11. Calde.r (Nelson); District Secretary,' Bro. Hon. F. 11. Fraser (Wellington); District Treasurer, Bro. T. W. Leslie (Wellington): District Superintendent of Juvenile Branches, Bro. T. Fathers (Nelson): District Auditor, Bro. J. W. Hall (Wellington). Bro. Fathers, in a very happy spcech, tendered' on behalf of tho meeting the heartiest of thanks for the excellent manner in which the Dunedin brethren had extended their hospitality. Bro. Stead expressed his happiness in seconding the motion, which was carried amidst groat acclamation. Bro. Cole, of the Dunedin Tent, in a few words suitably acknowledged the vote. Bro. hash proposed a very hearty voto of thanks to the press for the excellent reports of the meetings furnished by the local papers. He stated that the reports given were the fairest and fullest given by any paper during many years past. Uro. Goer seconded' tlie motion, which was carricd amidst great enthusiasm. Bro. Rosevear replied on behalf of the press, and moved that a hearty voto of thanks be given to the press reporter (Bro. N-asmitli) and to the minute secretary (Bro. Hopkins). A vote of thanks was also passed to Bro. Gaudin for acting as . treasurer during tho session; also to the District Visitors for their work among tho tents. It was resolved that tho district meeting in 1907 be held, in New Plymouth. Bro. Fathei'3 said the meeting was indebted to tho. deputation from Auckland (Bros. Ewan and Stallworthy) for their presence,.as their visit had in no small ilcgrco tended' towards a solution of the amalgamation question. Bro. Ewan, in a few well-chosen words, thanked tho brethren for tho welcome cx-1 tended to them. The installation of ofliccrs was then cere- ( moniously performed, tho Past District Chief Ruler suitablv welcoming the new officers, -who returned thanks for the honour conferred. The District- Chief Ruler presented Bro. Whitakcr with a handsome P.D.C.R. collar on the expiration of his term as District Chief Ruler.--Bro. Whitakcr, in a short speech, suitably acknowledged the presentation. It was resolved that, the matter of the appointment of District Visitors be left in the hands of the executive. After the minutes of the meetinsr bad been read tho council adjourned till February, 1907. THE CLOSING BANQUET. The proceedings in connection with the General District Meeting of the Independent Order of Kcchabit.es wcro brought to a close last evening with a banquet held in the Choral Hall About 150 persons sat down to the tempting repast placed before them l)y Mr Kroon, and since chccrful conversation is reputed to assist digestion, the banquet nioro than likely was enjoyed by all partaking of it. After the menu had been carefully gone through, a programme of toasts and songs was carried out, and this part of the proceedings 6ecmed equally acceptable to those present. Apologies for non-attendance wore received form His Worship the Mayor (Mr T. R. Christie), 11. D. Bedford, M.H.R.; T. K. Sidey, M.11.R,; and A. S. Adams. Bro. W. 11. Cole, C.R. presided, and proposed the usual opening loast of "The King." The toast of the "Parliament of New Zealand" was to have been proposed by tho Mayor of the City (Sir T. It. Christie), but. in his abscneo tho Chairman did so. Mr Cole having disclaimed any spccial knowledge of polities, made humorous reference to the one-sided effect which they seemed to have on most persons participating in them, paid a brief tribute to the character of tho New Zealand Legislature and the good work done by it. Mr F. H. Fraser, M.LX!., in acknowledging the toast, said ho firmly believed that every man in the House went to it determined to do his best for the country. The members of both Houses were proud of Now Zealand, and were anxious to keep it foremost as far as if. was possible for New Zealand to be foremost amongst the nations. In regard to the attitude of Parliament towards Friendly Societies, he considered that more consideration ought to be shown by it to the fonrty thousand members embraced in the societies, and the sixty thousand persons depending on them. There was no doubt that the societies* wcro a great help to the government. Supposing half of the members were to fall out of the lodges, he would guarantee that the government would be called on to assist a great manv of those who left together with their families. As it was they saved the state a large sum of money, and not only that but they taught- their children a lesson of thrift. The force of example was very great, and tlj"!_ children of members of Friendly Societies were less likely than others to become a burden on the .state. Friendly Societies did not want to be pauperised by tho government, but he certainly thought that the state should tako steps to prevent their property being taxed and money being taken from them, which would otherwise go into their sick funds. Mr Fraser also mentioned that when the Governor came, the authorities were always ready ■ to ask the societies to tjurn out with their banners to help to make a show, but somehow they forget them after the display. The least- they might, do was to ask a representative of the order to- the banquet and so ' give them the recognition they deserved. Mr J. F. Arnold, M.H.R.. said-,that, as a mwiiber of Parliament and as a member also of a friendly society for 27 years, he had great sympathy with the cause they represented. Referring to what Mr Fraser had said concerning the attitude of Parliament towards friendly societies, Mr Arnold pojntsd .out itliat ;an amendment to the. Friendly Societies Act had been circulated amongst tie various societies in the colony

some two years ago and their opinions solicited upon it, but tho majority of them had decided it was not necessary to do anything, Complaints Jind been made aboutthe act not lieing amended,-'but tlio lesponsibility rested,upon tile friendly societies for»not 'taking-action.' when .tlie.v had the, opportunity. It seemed to him that people nowadays were gradually getting into such a state of dependency 0110 upon another ae mado them tiiev could hardly live. Road 13oards, Oouiity Counoils, and such bodies < v;erc'continually going to the Govcrrimont for assistance,. while different portions of tho community all had thoir little federations. Ho repeated that the spirit of individualism was dying out, and that there was a. spirit abroad prompting men to. depend, continually upon someone else to lift them-up, and-it they were not lifted up to Ijo quite content to live as they were. In friendly societies, however, it was necessary that the thrifty should unite with thoir brothers and sisters and provide for sickness and old age.- Tho few figures lie-would give would show the progress of the various friendly societies. In 1898 there wcro 35,501 members, with total funds of £678,746 and an average capital of £19 2s Sd per head. In 1899 the number of members was 38,202, the total funds £728,249, average capital £19 Is 3d. In 1900 the number of members was 40,257, the total funds £766,480, and the average capital £19 Os 9d. In 1901 the .number of members was 41,236, the, total funds £804,753, and average capital £19 10s 4d. Tn 1902 the members totalled 43,408, tho total funds £846,315, and the- average capital came to £19 9s lid. These figures showed a, continual increase of members and an increase in advance of tlio increase of population; while the amount per head might he regarded as satisfactory. Tlio (lovcrnnicnt certainly might well do something in, the way of encouraging thrift in tho colony, for the thrifty had to help to support the unthrifty. He suggested that tho societies might assist the children to climb higher up the ladder of thrift bj. establishing scholarships and encouraging (hern in this way.—(Applause.) llr Arnold in conclusion, expressed his heartiest wishes foi tho prosperity of tho order, and said iflie could do anything for tlicm ho would bo pleased.—(Applause.) Bro. K. Rosevear proposed tho toast of "The Order," but refrained from making any remarks in order to save time. D.C.Tt. Bro. Sherwood, in responding, gave a lirief sketch of the rise and progress of the order. Tlioy had districts now in all parts of the world, and splendid work had been done both in the British army and the navy, Referring to tho progress of tho order in New Zealand, tho speaker said that in 1872 .there were in I lie Central District threo tents, with tota Iftmds of £56; in ISB4there were 20 tents, with 884- adult members three tents, with total funds of £56; in 1884. thero were 25 tents, with 1114 adult memben?, 172 juniors, and funds coming to t5.768; while last year there were 34 tents, 1651 adult members, o&a juniors, and funds amounting tc £33,894.—(Applause.) Bro. J. H. Vhitaker, P.D.0.R., proposed "Tlio Northern District," and in a few words expressed his wishes for the prosperity of tho order there. Bro. .T. Swan. D.C.R., in responding, mentioned that there were 10 tents, with a membership of 500. in tlio Northern District; and tho average capital was £28 per head, as against £21 in the Central District. He was of opinion, however, that the 6oouor union between the two districts oamo about tho bettor for the order.' They cxpectd to open one or two other t-onts soon, but the difficulty was to got secretaries willing and able to do the work. Bro. J. Stallworthy made a thoroughly humorous reply, cleverly contrasting Dunedin with the northern cities, and paying a tribute to this city for its beauty and the hospitality of its people. He alluded to tl.n good work done by the - temperance people in tho south in carrying no-license in certain districts, and said they looked forward to tho time when there .would lie some no-license districts in tho Northern District as well—(Applause.) Bro. J. Wesney proposed " Tho Cause of Temperance," and, having shortly reviewed tho rise of tho temperance movement, referred to -some of the no-license districts in Otago, where, of his own observation, he knew that no-license had benefited tlio working classes ,the trading classes, and indeed all tho community.—(Applause.) Bro. Sandilands, D.D.G-.C.T. of the 1.0.G.T.. responded. Bro. J. Goer. P.0.R., proposed the toast of "Kindred Societies." Bro. M. B. Foil (District Deputy Grand Master, 1.0.0. F.), Bro. Lumlev (Grand Master. I'.A.TVS.), Bro. Broadfoot '(P.G.M.. M.U.1.0.0.F.), Bro. Casey. (president of the H.A.C.8.5.), and Sister F. Thorn (W. Patriarch of the Sons and Daughters of Temperance) responded to the toast.

The toast of "The Ladies" was proncsed by Bro. T, Fathers, D.S.J.T. Bro, J. R. Sutherland .renlied; aiid ".Tho Press" by ,Bro. Stallworthy. At interval; during the evening songs woro given bv'.Miss Sparrow, Messrs S. .T. Gilbert ("The Storm-fiend "1,-W. Musker, and A. .T. Downing. Mr 0, Pinel and Bro. Hopkins contributed recitations, and Mr Arnold E. Foster a violin solo. Mr Hugh Black acted as accompanist to the vocalists.