UNITED ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS

Otago Witness, Issue 2818, 18 March 1908, Page 31

UNITED ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS

.«» MELBOURNE, March 11. At the annual conference of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows the Grand .Master (Bro. Patey) stated that there was a consensus of opinion throughout the order that drastic reform was necessary if the order was to Tetain a prominent place among friendly societies. There was, he said, seething discontent at the disorganisation and disaffection which had arisen from the burden of heavy levies which had been made in order to bolster up an abortive, violently expensive, and antiquated system that was. subversive of every practical and useful purpose for the betterment of members. For years past the funds had been depleted. Those who had failed to escape the- consequences of their crimes were in prison. Many sick members were unable to get sick pay except under severe restrictions through maladministration, neglect, and fraud. After 60 years' work there were only 300 members on the roll, and they had steadily decreasing funds —only £80,000, —which the Government actuary insisted were insufficient to meet the liabilities. For years the audited balance sheets of certain lodges and districts had been, as false as dicers' oaths. The disclosures came thick and fast, and only the fringe of the difficulty had been touched. NO BRANCHES IX NEW ZEALAND. WELLINGTON, MaTch 12. Referring- to the cablegram from Melbourne concerning the strictures on friendly societies' funds, the United Order of Oddfellows is quite distract from the Manchester Union Order of Oddfellows or the Independent Order (American constitution). It has no branches in the Dominion. According 1 to the report of the Government Actuary for Victorian Friendly Societies, the society had 53 branches, 3187 members, and funds in hand amounting to £64,034 in 1905.