FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21363, 17 June 1931, Page 11

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

DOMINION COUNCIL MEETING The first general meeting of the re-cently-formed Dominion Council of Friendly Societies was held in Wellington, the G.M. of the M.U.1.0.0.F., Bro. H. S. M. Quigley, presiding, and there were present 16 delegates, representing 13 separate societies, as follows: —Manchester Unity of Oddfellows (New Zealand branch) —Bros. H. S. M. Quigley, A. G. Shrimpton; Otago District, Bro. Alex. Sligo; Lyttelton District, Bro. W. T. Foster. U.A. Order of Druids (Grand Lodge, North Island) —Bros. J. Laughton, F. Mawhinny, Independent Order of Oddfellows (New Zealand) —Bros. D. F. Smillie and W. F. Crooke. Ancient Order of Foresters, Wellington District, Bro. A. W. O. Travers; Otago District, Bro. J. K. Macfie; Canterbury District, Bro. O. Jacobsen. Independent Order of Rechabites (Central District)..Bro. T. Fathers; Canterbury District, Bro. C. W. Bascand. Grand United Order of Qddfellows, Bro, W. N. Bain. British United Drder of Oddfellows, Bro. C. Pearce. P.A.F.S.A., Dunedin, Bro. A. Devlin. An apology was received from Bro. Jackson, grand president of the North Island Druids, owing to illness. Prior to the consideration of the articles of association, correspondence was read form several societies who were not represented at the meeting. In one instance—namely, the District A.0.F., Auckland, the opinion supplied was against the formation of the council. In all other instances the letters indicated a favourable reception of the association. Rules for the constitution of the government of the Dominion Council were presented by Bro. A. G. Shrimpton, G.S., of the M.U.1.0.0.F., and, with minor alterations, were adopted. The rules provide that the objects of the Dominion Council are to promote the mutual cooperation of all friendly societies, to keep a watchful eye on parliamentary proceedings likely to affect the principles of friendly societies, to promote improvements in the Friendly Societies Act, and the promotion of health, education, and other social services generally. Following on the adoption of the constitution and rules the Executive Committee was elected as follows:—President, Bro. H. S. M. Quigley; vice-presidents— Bros. A, W. O. Travers and J. Macfie; secretary-treasurer, Bro. A. G. Shrimpton; auditor, Bro. T. Fathers. Future meetings of the Dominion Council will be held' in the last week of May.

Many important questiones affecting the friendly society movement generally were discussed, and the Executive Committee was empowered to deal with or furnish reports to the next annual conference in respect to the following matters:—Obtain an expression of opinion from all societies regarding the closing of lodge books on June 30 instead of December 31; review the rates charged members as patients in Government sanitoriums; approach the Postmaster-general with a view of introducing the system of friendly societies operating on Post Office Savings Bank accounts by cheque; furnish a report to the next Dominion Council on members who leave one society by nonpayment of dues and join another society; fully investigate the question of a Dominion hospital scheme for friendly societies; present a report to friendly societies dispensary boards of the loss suffered by dispensaries in the Hawke’s Bay district, and solicit assistance to rehabilitate the sufferers.

During the discussion on remits, comprising - actuarial valuations, maternity applications, and economic pensions, the general opinion was one of appreciation for the services rendered the friendly societies by the registrar, actuary and staff of the Friendly Societies Department.

Votes of thanks to the promoters and the president closed a very successful conference, which augurs well for the future functioning of the council. In thanking the delegates for the valuable constructive assistance rendered and proceeding upon sound and reasonable lines, Bro. Quigley anticipated that with the united effort of all societies the council would accomplish a great deal for the common good of the friendly society movement.