MANCHESTER UNITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18513, 25 March 1922, Page 6

MANCHESTER UNITY

ANNUAL MEETING CONCLUDED. AMALGAMATION PROJECT DEFEATED. The annual Otago District meeting of the M.U.1.0.0.F., for which some 70 delegates assembled at, Balclutha on Thursday, had before it a long report from a special committee with regard to the propose! amalgamation with New Zealand Branch. The report stated that the following resolution was unanimously adopted:— “While there is a strong appeal in the sentimental aspect of the proposition for unity, there is so much contained in the laws of the New Zealand Branch which is considered out of harmony with the spirit and opposed to the interests of the Otagd District, that your committee cannot recommend the adoption of the proposal to affiliate with the New Zealand Branch.” Some of the vital factors which inspired the committee to frame this resolution were :—Differentiation of contributions and benefits, consolidation method, clearances without surrender value, central funeral fund, hazardous occupation tax. The system of consolidation advocated by the New Zealand Branch was the centralised method. In Otago District individual lodge administration of funds was a vital principle, and must be maintained at all costs, owing to the oft-repeated assurances given to lodges prior to consolidation being affirmed. The committee failed to see how uniformity could be attained, in view of the fact that several of the districts in the New- Zealand Branch had adopted a system at variance with that of the Otago, Districtlt must be remembered also that Otago's consolidation controlled all sick and funeral funds of lodges, including surpluses, the members of the weakest financial lodge being on complete equality, financially, with the members of tbe strongest surplus lodge in the district. The questions oi clearances and the raising of the central funeral fund, as conducted by the New Zealand Branch, would also interfere with the individuality of lodges. The committee believed that the principle of clearance without surrender value was unsound except in a society whicll has a complete centralised consolidation. The committee also considered that, Otago would never tolerate the special taxing of toilers' who followed hazardous work. It was of opinion that all the benefits that had so far resulted from the formation and maintenance of the New Zealand Branch could have been accomplished by occasional conferences of delegates from the various districts in New Zealand, and recommended that meetings be arranged from time to time at which representatives of the various districts may confer on matters appertaining to the order. The adoption of (he report was proposed by Prov. Treasurer A. Sligo, who quoted statistics to show that the Manchester Unity offered the better scale of benefits of the two. Until (here was unity on this matter they would not make much headway with any scheme for amalgamation. The difference ip tho branch's method of consolidation would seriously affect Otago. They had established a system which gave the various lodges control over their own affairs, mid, he thought, would bo loth to depart, from it mid accede to a plan which would mean the centralisation of the whole thing at Wellington. The present system induced the lodges to take an interest in their own affairs which they would not do to nearly tile same extent if all responsibility were taken away from them. Figures were quoted by the speaker to show that the Manchester Unity contained 30.6 per cent, of the members and 41.4 per cent, of the funds of all the lodges in New Zealand, and the branch 19.19 per cent and 28.2 per cent. The branch had 65.1 per cent, of the members and 68.1 per cent, of the funds of the Manchester Unity and the Otago District 22.5 per cent. and 22.4 per cent. It appeared, therefore, that the branch was in a slightly better position financially than the Otago District, but this, he explained, was not really so, owing to the different way in which each dealt with surplus lodge funds. So far as the work of the two societies was concerned, they in Otago had a larger membership than Wellington and more enthusiasm in their lodges. In conclusion, he pointed out that in the event of amalgamating Otago would be put to the expense of sending delegates to the other centres, which in the case of the 1920 meeting at Auckland would have cost £4OO. P.P.G.M. Hamel seconded the motion, endorsing the treasurer’s statement of the position. He believed Otago would never agree to penalise a man because he followed a hazardous occupation. The principle laid down by Otago was a magnificent one, but under the branch they would have to make the Kaitangata men pay higher rates for working underground, and that for the benefit of others. The motion for the adoption of the committee’s report was carried. GKNERAL. The following remits were carried: From Albion Lodge.—“ That the following words be deleted from rule 43, paragraph 1, second Hue, ‘the Initiation Fees and, that the scale of initiation fees in rule 43 be transferred to rule 56; that the following words be added to rule 66 after ‘by’ in the second line—‘the Initiation Fees from Entrants and.’ ” From tho District Officers. —“That the name of P.P.G.M. T. Mitldlemass be placed on the Merit Board; that he receive a certificate to enable him to take the degree of a P.P.G.M. j and that he receive a P.P.G.M.’s jewel.” After a desultory discussion the Loyal Valley Lodge withdrew a remit regarding the scale of initiation fees, and ns tho amendment was lost the matter lapsed. Another proposal from the same lodge—that £5 should be voted annually from the District Management Fund to each Juvenile branch for incidental expenses—was defeated, and an amendment was carried referring the matter to the executive with power to act. A, motion was carried recommending the executive to make a grant of £lO to tho South Otago Hospital. A levy of Is 9d for the District Management Fund was fixed. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES. The following officers and committees were elected; —Prov. G.M., Prov. D.G.M. J. Will; Prov D.G.M., P.G. J. A. Robson: Prov. C. 5.,; J. A. Hopcraft; Prov. Treasurer, P.P.G.M. A. Sligo; auditor, P.G. C. Grater; lodge book examiners, P.P.G.M. W. E. C. Reid, P.G. J. G. Patterson; Competitions’ Committee—P.P.G.M.’s Palmer, Russell, Sullivan; Friendly Societies’ Council — P.P.G.M.’s Sullivan, Hamel, Russell, per sec. Stabb; Arbitration Committee — P.P.G.M.’a Russfil, M'Dougall, Sullivan, P.G.’s C. H. West, E. Longworlh, S. Smith, W. J. Hutton, G. CTosbie, F. J. M'Kenzie, Per. secs. P. W. Stabb, W. Weir, N.G. A. J. Rennie. The new officers were installed in the usual manner, and a motion was carried expressing hearty appreciation of the services of the retiring Prov. G.M. T. Middlemass, The following resolution was carried on tho motion of P.P.G.M. Hamel:—The retirement from office of P.P.G.M. Russell calls for special reference from the deputies assembled. On entering the executive us P.D.G.M. Bro. Russell had to assume exceptional responsibilities owing to tho war services required by the State from the head of the executive at that time. The thorough and painstaking way in which Bro. Russell discharged these onerous duties is familiar, to every member of the Otago District:. The deputies assembled are of opinion that, these services should have their sincere thanks; that the district officers should lie empowered to express such thanks in tangible form by procuring a suitable gift for P.P.G.M. Russell and his wife; and that this minute be illuminated and framed.” .SMOKE CONCERT. At night the delegates were entertained by the Dalton Lodge at a smoke conceit, over which NG. Ilolgate presided. Those responsible for the evening had forgotten nothing that would add to its pleasure, and one and .ill cnoyed themselves heartily. Humorous recitations were contributed by P.P.G M. Russell and Bro. Hutton, and songs by P.P.G.M. Sligo, P. B. J. H. Guest, Bros. B. Ludlow and Thomas. An excellent orchestra rendered several selections at intervals. The following toasts were honoured: “The King.” "Otago District,” (proposed by P.P.G.M. C. Wood, and responded to by P.G.M. Will. D.G.M. Rogers, P.P.G.M. Middlemass, treasurer. and secretary), “Army, Navy, and Mercantile Marino” (proposed hv P.P.G.M. Hamel, reply P.G. Grigor), "Visiting Delegates” (Per. See. Walton, responded to by representatives of the various lodge delegations). "Dalton Lodge” (P.P.G.M. Sligo, reply by the chairman). ‘'Southland District” (P.P.G.M. Russell, responded to by tbe visitors from Invercargill -P.P.G.M. Hope and P.G. S. Edmond), “The Press” (Per Sec. Stabb). “Performers” (P.P.G.M. Middlemass). and “The Chairman” (Per Cor. Sec. H opera ft). During the course of the evening P.G.M. Will presented the P.P.G M. jewel to ‘!,e retiring P.G.M. {Bro. Middlemass) amid the applause of the delegates. The company dispersed with the singing of “Auld Long Syne."