ORDER OF FORESTERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16003, 20 February 1914, Page 7

ORDER OF FORESTERS.

IMPORTANT AND INTERESTINHG SCHEMES.

HFbom Odb Own CoßßEsrowDMrr.)

AUCKLAND, February 19. Provision for financial assistance in building homes and for establishing convalescent homos are receiving tho attention of tho Auckland District of the Ancient Order of Foresters, which opened its annual conferonce at this morning. The order, which has a membership of 2284, is strongly situated financially, having approximately £30,000 at interest at 5| per cent. In his presidential address this morning the D.V.li. Bro. Jas. Shaldric-k, referred to both these matters. Durirur tho year, he said, tho executive had prepared and put into operation a home-procuring loan scheme. This was intended to assist members to purchase their own homes. Under this scheme loans were repayable by fortnightly payments covering principal and interest over a period of 111, 15, or 20 years. While safeguarding the funds, assistance was given to deserving members that would make the order more useful. While in Wellington tho D.iS.R. submitted the scheme to tho registrar, who saw nothing to object to. Rules governing the working of the scheme had been prepared, and would be printed for circulation provided tho meeting approved the scheme.

The second question, that of the establishment of a convalescent home for the A.0.F., was brought forward by tiie D.C.R. As to the dcsirablitiy of such a home, he 6aid there could be no question. How often it happened that some member through stress of work got run down and required rest and chance of scene, or perhaps after somo accident was compelled to lie aside, may be for a considerable time; or again it might bo a member's wife had undergone some operation in a. hospital and required a home where she could be built up - to again take her place of duty in tho family. In such cases- a homo in tho country, under healthy conditions, would bo a boon indeed. In the Old Country several such homes were maintained by the A.O.F. The question was, were they less able or willing to provide themselves witih this home? In those days of prosperity it could hardly be said they were less able. Should it be said that they wero -less willing? The speaker indicated, that ho would outline his scheme in this respect more fully before the conference closed.