ODDFELLOWS' CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13373, 6 May 1914, Page 8

ODDFELLOWS' CONFERENCE.

"FOUNTAIN OF FRIENDSHIP"

LODGE

INTERESTING- DEBATE

(Per Press-Association.)

; WANGANUI, i ast n \ s \^. To-day's proceedings at the seventh biennial conference of the M.U.1.0.0.F. were of a most interesting nature. The first business before the meeting was consideration of the move taken by the Loyal Fountain of Friendship Lodge, a wealthy Auckland institution, to secede from the New Zealand branch of thi> Manchester Unity.

According to instructions, the committee appointed by the conference on Mon. day to inquire into the position reported to the conference this morning m the following terms : "After talcing evidence, we consider the trouble commenced between the Auckland district and the Loyal Fountain of Friendship Lodge, and we are of the opinion that the district officers did not take the necessary steps to heal tho breach. Had they done so the misunderstanding might have been amicably settled. It is apparent from tho evidence that the impression has got abroad that the officers of the society had failed m their duty to effect a peaceful settlement. We find that the- office? s were m possession of the facts of the situation. Steps had been decided on, taken, and circulars issued which stated definitely that secession had been decided on. . We consider every possible effort should be made by the incoming board of directors to clear up the misunderstanding. It is desirable to extend the hand of friendship to the Fountain of Friendship Lodge, and endeavor to get them to reconsider their decision."

Bro. Robbins said that the Fountain of Friendship Lodge had seceded from the New Zealand branch, and it would probably apply to the Manchester Unity m England for registration. He hoped that a representative of .the lodge would be allowed to speak. He moved m that direction.

Bro. Salek seconded, and expressed the hope that the olive branch would be extended, and an attempt made towards conciliation.

It was decided to hoar the lodge's side of the question, and, at the conference's invitation, Bro. Ziman,. a member of and solicitor for the lodge, explained the position ta&eiTup by the Fountain of Friendship Lodge. He said the lodge was founded 70 yeai-s ago, long before there was a New Zealand branch of the Unity. It was a, valuable lodge, and was most progressive. It had members of over 50 years' standing, and these members regained the lodge as a priceless heritage. The City of Auckland had grown with it. The society was at present being besieged with applications for membership, but because of the unfortunate entanglement that j had taken place between the New Zea- 1 land branch and the lodge, they could not be received. This position had existed since last July, when the resolution deciding 1 to secede was carried. Continuing, Bro. Ziman said that when the scheme of consolidation was bi'ought down it received support from the Auckland district. The lodge had had the impression that the Auckland district was pushing the scheme with the idea- of obtaining possession of the Fountain of Friendship's property, and sharing it with the other lodges v of the district. The Grand Master's report came out, recommending consolidation. Everything pointed m. the direction that the scheme should be carried into effect. The members of the lodge were convince ed that if consolidation were carried, the future increment from properties they owned would not. be achieved by them. They thought, they would be put on the same footing as lodges not so well managed and not so fortunate. They thought their birthright m the shape of the deeds of their properties would be" taken from them. Members said that the Auckland district was set on. having consolidation, and the State subvention scheme of consolidation was not voluntary and it was not , acceptable to the Fountain of Friendship Lodge. They wanted to keep clear, and to -"-do so they decided to secede. The lodge did not hear the- views of the Auckland district management on consolidation, and it was^not till the night of the ballot that the officers of the district visited the lodge and explained. the position. Four hundred men voted that night, and it could be understood that little interest was taken m what -was said by the visitors. That was the only occasion ..on which the lodge was addressed on the subject. Bro. Ziman did not think the district oftlcer.; did what they could have done cementing good feeling between il:e lodge and the district. The lodge felt that the district was driving it out. When it was found that consolidation was not going to be carried by New Zealand, . an attempt was made to institute it m the Auckland district: The lodge felt that the district was actuated Iby a desire to capture the property of the Fountain of Friendship Lodge for the purpose of distributing it among other lodges of the district. , A resolution was passed by the district management committee, Bro. Ziman went on, that members of the Fountain of Friendship Lodge be removed from the committee. Three members resigned., Apart from the slight received, Bro. Ziman continued, ' the lodge was practically disfranchised. Concluding, Bro. Ziman .said that the lodge was amenable to reason, and he suggested that a small committee be set up to meet the permanent secretary of the Fountain of Friendship Lodge (Bro. Westphall) and himself to discuss the position, with a view to coming to a solution. (Applause.) It was decided to adopt the report. A committee consisting of the G.M. board of directors (Bros. Smith, Ibbotson, Shrimpton, Fry, McLean, and Robbins) was set up , to meet the representatives of the Loyal Fountain of Friendship Lodge, with a view to arriving at some solution to remedy the estrangement which has taken place between the New Zealand branch and the lodge. The next business was consideration of the following remit from the Auckland district: "That this district urge upon the New Zealand- branch the desirability of using, every 'endeavor to promote consolidation of the sick fund of lodges Trtd districts comprising the society, m order to improve .the financial stability of those lodges which are not actuarially sound.'* Bro. Salek. raised the question of the illegality of consolidation. The Grand Master ruled that the matter could be discussed. Bro. McLeod said that he represented a surplus lodge. Ho saw, however, that the wealthy lodges were not disposed to help those m less fortunate circumstances. The Auckland district had now a desire to withdraw the remit. A whistle of surprise went round the room, and silence prevailed for a minute. A great fight was expected on the issue of consolidation, and few expected that supporters of the remit would wish io withdraw. Bro. McLeod thereupon moved the adjournment of the clause. Bro. Bellringer moved : "That 'the report 6f the Grand Master and board of directors, compiled and circulated by order of the Christchurch 8.M.C., relative to the consolidating 1 of the ■ sick funds of the whole of the lodges m the New Zealand branch, having been, considered by several districts, and the decision of a considerable majority of such districts being against the society consolidating, it is not advisable to take farther action m regard thereto." The motion was put, and carried unanimously, and with loud applause. The whole of the, afternoon was taken .up m revising the rules of the branch and arranging ruleg of districts and of the lodges ._ '