JUBILEE BANQUET

Southland Times, Issue 20613, 11 October 1928, Page 4

JUBILEE BANQUET

ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS. PIONEER OF SOUTHLAND LODGE. LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE GATHERING. Fully 200 members of the Pioneer of Southland Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, guests from fellow lodges of the order and representatives of other friendly societies were present at the jubilee banquet of the Pioneer of Southland Lodge last night. The chairman was Past Grand Master /Brother T. Crawley and the chief guests of the evening were the Deputy Grand Sire of the Grand Lodge of Australasia, Brother L. Deans Ritchie, of Dunedin, and Pa§t Grand Master Brother A. Valentine, of Dunedin. The gathering was most impressive and it was the opinion of many in a position to know, that the banquet was one of the finest ever held in Australasia or at least New Zealand.

The first toast of “The Deputy Grand Sire of Grand Lodge of Australasia,” Brother L. Deans Ritchie, the chief guest of the evening, was proposed by the chairman who said that all he wanted to say was that there was a great deal of discussion as to whether they should sever their connection with the Sovereign Grand Lodge of America or continue as they were. His opinion was that it was better to remain as they were. “I would like to congratulate the committee on the success that has so far attended their jubilee celebrations,” said Brother L. Deans Ritchie in reply. He then gave a short history of the Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Australasia was first given a charter in 1878 and the first triennial session was held in 1881. Australasia held its charter from the Sovereign Grand Lodge of America which was the fountain head of the whole membership of 2,500,000 members in the world. In 188*1, several changes in the ritual were made by the Sovereign Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Australasia objected in a respectful manner and as a proof of the esteem in which the Sovereign Lodge held the younger, body was given when an agreement was drawn up giving practically independence to the Grand Lodge of Australasia. The speaker then referred to the wonderful work done by Past Grand Secretary William Reed, who had done more than anyone else to help on the movement in New Zealand. As far as the idea of legislating to change certain portions of the ritual, that could be done so long as the basic rules of the movement were kept. The Grand Lodge of Australasia had great powers. Some wished to break from America saying they had nothing to do with America, but had they nothing to do with the other members of the Fellowship throughout the world? A jurisdiction in Australia had had the proposal of secession placed before it and had turned it down. At the next conference in New Zealand, any proposals passed for alteration to the constitution and placed before the Sovereign Lodge would probably gain their approval. The only suggestion that it had turned down was the hard and fast rule as to the colour line, but everyone knew the strong feeling in America about the coloured races. Speaking of the benefits of friendly societies he mentioned the help given in cases of sickness; it was not cold charity but an honourable contract fulfilled. In his opinion the country did not encourage sufficiently the incentive to thrift formed by friendly societies. The other function of the societies not appreciated by the public was the texts of the order —friendship, love, truth, faith, hope and charity. Leaving lodges in general and coming to the particular, be congratulated the members of the Pioneer of Southland Lodge who for 50 years had carried on the flag. Although many of the founders had gone, their work lived after them. He mentioned P.G.M. Brother T. Crawley, P.G.M. Bro. Aitken, P.D.D.G.M. Bro. Whitmore, and Brother W. J. Taylor. He then gave' interesting statistics of the strength of the friendly societies in New Zealand. He would not like to see the friendly societies enter into politics, but if ever it was necessary, in order to gain for their appeals consideration, to act in a bodv. There were 98,251 friendly society members plus wives and voting dependants. The sick and funeral funds amounted to £3,036,000 and the capital per member, the highest in Australasia, was £35 17/11. In a witty and well-turned speech in proposing the toast of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, Past Deputy District Grand Master Brother M. B. Feil referred to the great work done by the Grand Lodge. They were not in a position to do exactly as they liked for there was a registrar of friendly societies who put a spoke in the wheel at times. If one looked at the records of past grand lodge sessions, one would find that the debative power was much higher than to-day. Those in the Grand Lodge should be respected; they were doing grand work and he asked those present t.o rise and drink to the health of the Grand Lodge. Bro. L. Deans Ritchie, on behalf of the executive officers of the Grand Lodge, District Deputy Grand Master Brother McGoldrick, Brother McDonald and Brother J. Robertson all replied briefly to the toast. “In looking over the Grand Lodge proceedings of November 13, 1878, ,1 saw that a petition was presented praying that a lodge should be opened in Southland,” said Past Grand Master Brother A. Valentine, proposing the toast of the Pioneer of Southland Lodge. That same year the lodge was successfully established. To-day Invercargill had reason to be proud of the work done in the formation of character and the making of good citizens. There •was no jealousy between the different lodges and fraternities; they were all helping each other with the same ideals. Replying to the toast, the Noble Grand, Brother W. A. Blair, made mention of the many honours attended by members of the Pioneer of Southland Lodge and which included: Past District Deputy Grand Sire of Australasia, Bro. T. Crawley; Past Grand Masters, Grand Lodge of New Zealand, Bros. J. M. Aitken and T. Crawley; Past Chief Patriarchs, Encampment Branch, Bros. C. H. Whitmore, J. M. Aitken, T. Crawley, M. B. Feil and A. Helm; Holders of Veteran’s Jewel, Brothers T. Crawley, J. M. Aitken, E. H. Whitmore, W. Dickson, W. J. Taylor; Past District Deputy Grand Masters, Brothers G. Walker, W. Dickson, T. Crawley, E. H. Whitmore, T. Lawton, F. D. Aitken. While the accompanist played several bars of Chopin’s Funeral March, all present stood as a silent toast to those members of the Pioneer Lodge who had gone to the Supreme Lodge above. Other toasts honoured were: “Early members of Pioneer Lodge,” proposed by P.D.D. G.M. Brother F. Aitken, responded to by Past District Deputy Grand Masters McKillop and Whitmore; “Our Order in Southland,” proposed by D.D.G.M. Brother W. McGorlick; “Other Friendly Societies” proposed by P. G. Brother Jackson, replied to by Brother Greig of the Dispensary Committee, Brother P. Stokes, of the Shamrock, Rose and Thistle Lodge, Brother McGregor, of the St. George Lodge, Brother F. Cumming, of the Foresters Lodge, Brother A. S. Harrison, of the Order of Druids, Brother G. Skipworth, of the Order of Rechabites, and Brother Sheehan, of the Hibernians; “Our Visitors,” proposed by P.D.D.G.M. Brother Lawton, responded to by Brother A. White of the Rechabite .Order.

During the evening, items were given by Messrs Nicholson, Millar and Henry, orchestral item; D. Ross, song; S. Anderson, song, Mr R. Henry acted as accompanist.