ODDFELLOWS MEET

Southland Times, Issue 25267, 23 April 1935, Page 7

ODDFELLOWS MEET

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. DIRECTORS’ REPORT. (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, April 22. The 17th movable conference of the New Zealand branch of the Manchester Unity of Independent Order of Oddfellows opened this morning. There was a full attendance of delegates, their wives and friends. The Grand Master, Bro. T. J. Archbold, presided. In welcoming the Grand Master, the directors and deputies, Brother A. Gow, Grand Master of the North Canterbury District, said that the year would be remembered as one of pleasant memories in the district. The New Zealand branch had been in existence 33 years and this was the second occasion on which the conference had been held in the district; also the second time that the Grand Master had been chosen from the district. He wished the visitors a happy stay in Christchurch. The directors’ report showed that there had been a loss of 267 members in 1933, but last year the position bad been retrieved by an increase of 357 at the end of 1934. The membership of the New Zealand branch was 24,390. The period of 1933-34 had been notable for the drop in the return from investments. The net return for 1934 was £6B less than in 1933, which showed a reduction on capital of three shillings per cent. During the last two and ahalf years £24,882 had been distributed to districts and lodges from the surplus in the funeral fund. This had allowed lodges and districts to make additional surplus appropriations to augment or establish benevolent funds and to pay unemployed members’ contributions.

The resolution of the International Conference concerning the use of the term “Order” only by the continuation of lodges within the Dominion of New Zealand branch was adopted.

It was also resolved that the directors further approach districts not now affiliated and that they bo empowered to elect delegates and take the necessary steps to secure unity in New Zealand.