LODGE FUNDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1243, 25 September 1875, Page 4

LODGE FUNDS.

It is an incontrovertible proposition that the monetary feature of our Order is its great bulwark of security. Remove that, and the flood of destruction will overwhelm and wipe the institution from existence. Maintain and strengthen it, and the result will be its solidification and perpetuity.

With this fixed fact in view, how important that we jealously and. vigilantly guard our treasuries. The funds of a lodge are a sacred trust, and must not bj| recklessly squandered or carelessly frittered away. The principal business of organization lies in collecting and disbursing moneys ; and what can a lodge do without capital 1 Such a lodge is like an insolvent merchant, and must, like him, suspend business. We cannot exist on the credit system. If a member be taken sick, he must have money — not a note on time, with nothing to meet it at maturity. Now, the point is this : It 13 incumbent upon us to take care of our resources. If a lodge has accumulated a fund of several thousand dollars, that is no reason why it should be prodigal therewith. ' Every dollar will be required for the legitimate purposes for which it has been acquired. What are these legitimate purposes: They are : Payment of sick benefits, donations for charitable objects, burial of the dead, relief of the widow, education of the orphan, and defrayment of the actual running expenses of the organization. Beyond and. outside these specific objects, except, of course, expense incurred in observing the general anniversary of the Order, the lodge has no right to use its means. We do not state this as conveying the idea that a lodge may not judiciously invest a portion of the funds. That is a different matter. Without doubt a lodge has a right to build a new hall, or to fit up and furnish , rooms suitable for its occupancy. This is in the shape of an investment. What we , contend, for is, that no organization of our Order can rightly take from its funds any amount to make up a deficit sequent upon giving a picnic, ball, festival, or other ordinary entertainment. It may be' the easiest way to "foot the bills,", but it is in no wise the right way, and we, trust every good member will vote down any such proposition. If there be any such deficit, let a subscription be taten'upto cover the same, or what is more equitable, an assessment made pro rata on the entire membership, making the sum fbr'each individual to pay so small that' no one would feel it.' We have always^ ttiouek it unfair for the " faithful few " who regularly attend the meetings to be'taxed exclusively for these "things, as* is 'Me case when only those present subscribed meet deficits.— American Odd Fellow.