ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9223, 30 April 1908, Page 4

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

NEW ZEALAND BRANCH

The fourth biennial meeting of the New Zealand branch, of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, was opened at New Plymouth at I 8 p.m. on Easter Monday. Nearly all ! the officers and deputies, over thirty in number, arrived on the Friday and Saturday previous, several being accompanied by their wives and daughters. The New Plymouth brethren and their wives had made very complete trrangements for the entertainment of the visitors, but the weather was unpropitious for the outdoor amusements provided. For Saturday aftelrnoon a picnic to " The Meeting of the Waters " and a drive around the suburbs of the town was on the programme, but owing to rain an afternoon tea-party in the hall had to be substituted. At eight o'clock the same evening a civic reception of the visitors took place, the Mayor (Mr E. Dockrill) extending a most cordial welcome, which was responded to by Mr A. Batchelor, the Grand Master of the Order. A musical programme followed, and a very pleasant evening was spent. On Sunday afternoon the famous Pukekura Park, or Botanical Gardens, were visited, and a number of sacred musical selections were played by a string band. On Easter Monday there was a driving excursion to Mount Egmont, for which, however, the weather was not altogether favourable, the mountain being enveloped in fog and the bush too wet for climbing. Despite occasional showers the drive to the mountain house, the last four miles being along a winding road through beautiful virgin bush abounding wiui wee ferns, was thoroughly enjoyed by the excursion party, numbering about eighty. At the mountain house a substantial luncheon and tea were served, and an appreciation of the beauty of the mountain scenery and the action of the Government in reserving the mountain for a radius of eigjit miles from the top as a public par£, was inscribed in th© visitors' book and signed by all. The party returned to town at 7 p.m., and an hour later the business session was opened in the Foresters' Hall. The officers present were : — Brother A. Bat- | chelor (Nelson), Grand Master presid- • ing; Brother J. Marshall (Rangiora), Deputy Grand Master; and .Brother J. Kers'haw ("Wellington), corresponding secretary. All the districts connected with the branch were fully represented. The following telegram was read from Brother Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister :— " On the occasion of the meeting of the Movable Committee of the New Zealand branch of the 1.0.0. F., M.U., now -'the greatest affiliated society in the dominion, I desire to express my wishes for a successful gathering, and I ■ trust that the deliberations of the committee will make for the retention of the strong position your great Order has attained among the friendly Societies of the world." Telegrams conveying fraternal greetings were also received from Deputy Grand Masters Brother Le Hone, of the Auckland district, and Brother C. Foster, • Pro v. C.S. of the North Canterbury district. The Grand Master, in opening the conference, delivered an address, in which he touched upon, several important matters. With a view to assist the large number of brethren who in declining years found difficulty in paying their contributions he urged careful management in working lodges and close investment of funds, thereby building up surplusses, which could be devoted to reducing members' contributions of a given age. The question of ' medical benefits, 'he said, seemed to be one of grave importance to the Order in New Zealand, and one that would require combined effort to cope with the constantly increasing demands of the medical profession. It appeared to him that the time was not far distant when the Friendly Societies would be compelled to seek legislation on the subject. He was pleased to note the great benefits conferred oh the Order by the establishment of medical dispensaries, and he suggested that an effort should be made to establish a dispensary in every district where practicable. More liberal provisions for the clearance of members from /one lodge to another were dealt with. 'Referring to the equal levy system he said that during the past few years a system of promising large benefits on an equal levy payment had come into vogiie in New Zealand, and had »o doubt militated against a larger increase of membership in the Oddfellows Order. Such a system was not recognised by the Registrar of Friendly Societies, and was an optional one that might be terminated by the members by a vote at any time. Taking the experience of "dividing" societies the time must assuredly come when disaster would befall such a scheme; i then where were the unfortu-

nate members -who had paid in for a number of years? He urged adherence to their established principle of paying an adequate contribution for the benefits promised and using any surplus to increase the benefits. He sugested that more definite steps should be taken to advertise the benefits of the Order, and respecting the invest- , ment of capital said that members requiring assistance in securing homes for themselves should have loans granted them from available funds up to a close margin of actual value repayable by monthly instalments. By this system no loss of capital would be incurred and it would be beneficial both to tiie members and the Order generally. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Grand Master for his address; and after setting up an investigation committee consisting of Deputies Jull, Thomas, Smith, Sole and Salek, the conference adjourned. Business was resumed at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, when the Director's report was taken. It stated that the last report of the Grand Master and Board of Directors in England showed that on January 1, 1907, tho membership of the Unity was 1,026,509, and the capital £13,370,269 8s 7Jd. The increase in membership in the Colonial and Foreign Districts was 3580 for the year, and the Order in New Zealand had largely assisted in the substantial addition. There was a pleasing feature in connection with the financial position of the Society, especially in view of the recent statement in the Press with reference to the financial condition of a Friendly Society in Australia. The Directors of the Unity said that '■ the financial condition of the Manchester Unity was even better than its numbers because with an income from all sources in round figures of £2,000,000 per annum, and an expenditure of £1,500,000, the annual excess of income over expenditure was about half a million pounds. This was surely abundant evidence from a financial point of view that the Manchester Unity could never go back, and that the Society was determined not to be turned from the path it had chosen of preferring financial stability to large numbers. With reference to the New Zealand branch, the report stated that seven new lodges had been opened since the previous report, and there had been an increase of 570 intthe membership. 'It was pleasing to fipd that the branches of the Manchester Unity outside the United Kingdom were doing so much to uphold the prestige of the Society, both in numbers and finance. Praise was bestowed on the officers, and brethren of the several districts who so readily and ably grasped the opportunity to place before the public the numerical^ . and financial position of the Unity in the dominion when the recent cable referring to an unsound friendly society occupied so prominent a position in the public Press ; and every member was urged to support every movement for the careful supervision and ready investment of the Society's funds, so that the estimated rate of interest could be obtained. With reference to the new Friendly Societies Bill the Premier, who was recently admitted a member of the Loyal Fountain of Friendship Lodge, Auckland, had expressed the hope that the measure would be passed next session. It would deal with the question of adequate contributions, audit of Friendly Societies' accounts, and other important matters. Mr Massey, leader of the Opposition, had also spoken in favour of the Bill, and said there would be no party fight over it, as every member of the House would help to pass it through. The valuations of several districts were dealt with, and reference I was made to an insurance scheme and the centralisation of funds. Some of the clauses : of the report were adopted, and others were helefover to a later stage of the meeting. The balance-sheet of the central body, which was adopted, showed receipts — balance brougnt forward £277 0s 7d, levies £142 4s 6d, goods -£80 10s Bd, registration fee £1 ss; total £501 Os 9d; and expenditure £198 8s lid, leaving a credit balance of £302 11s lOd. The Investigation Committee reported on an appeal from the Rakaia Ledge against the decision of the Grand Master and Board of Directors in regard to an application for dissolution. The committee disallowed the appeal, but recommended that the question of the equitable division of the funds of the« diaso 1 xl lodge be submitted for legak opinion, and afterwards to the Registrar of Friendly Societies. The revision of rules was the next business. Rule 1 was amended to provide for the admission of members at the ago of three years in place of the previous limit of sixteen years. An amendment to permit foreign members holding office in a lodge to be elected to represent the lodge at district meetings wae carried. A remit from, the directors, to include deceased members widows in the funeral benefits was 'adopted. A long discussion took place upon a proposal to lower tho minimum entrance fee and subscriptions of honorary members to 2s 6d, and the reduction was adopted, honorary members to be allowed to vote on all matters, including the admission of members, excepting in regard to finances. A new rule was adopted providing for the establishment of a separate lodge fund called the medical aid fund, into which all contributions for medical attendance are to be paid, and from which all payments for medical attendance are to be made. Deputy C. E. Bellringer (New Plymouth) moved to add a new rule — "In places where there is no female branch within a distance of three miles females may (with the consent of the district) be admitted and become members of male lodges. They shall pay contribu 3 tions and receive benefits in accordance with rules and tables governi2ig female members." This was seconded by Deputy Loasby (Wellington), and after an animated discussion was carried by 16 votes to 11. After the dinner adjournment there was a meeting at 8 p.m. to discuss the question of uniformity in giving the degrees, and afterwards a lecture was held, at which the Purple Degree was conferred on three Past Grands. An important remit from the directors for the extension of the privileges for clearance was moved by Deputy M'Leod. Previously members had been permitted to clear from one lodge to another in a district without any alteration ill contributions or benefits or the paying of surrender value. The remit proposed that these privileges should now be extended to embrace the whole of the lodges in the New Zealand branch. The motion was carried by 17 votes to 9. • 1 * It was decided to strike a levy of 2|d for management expenses and id per member to establish a society sick and funeral fund as per general rule 22. The levy previously was 3d, all of which was used for management purposes. . Schemes for providing increased funeral benefits on a sound basis and for the centralisation of the funeral and sick funds were referred back to the Board of Directors. Reference was made to the fact that in the South Island the Independent Order of Oddfellows. American Constitution, had a paid' canvasser at work, and that the society was being confused with the Manchester Unity owing to the words "American Constitution 5> being dropped. It was pointed out that the Friendly Societies Act had a provision to prevent confusion by similarity of titles of societies, and it was decided to courteously request the officers of the American Constitution to use their full title. Permission was given to change the name of the Hokitika District to the Westland District. A number of minor matters were disposed of and' the election of officers was then carried out. Deputy Grand Master, Brother James Marshall (Rangiora) was elected Grand' Master unopposed; 1 Prov C.S. Brother E. E. Bellringer

1 (New Plymouth) was elected Deputy Grand Master; auditors. Brothers T. S. Powell, A. Guise and W. Harkness; corresponding secretary, Brother J. Kershaw ; treasurer, Brother G. E. Godber; parliamentary agent, Brother J. Smith; directors, Brothers J. Clark (Auckland), J. B. Fielder (Hawke's Bay), D. P. Loasby, J. Smith (Wellington), G. Sellars (Ashley) and I. Salek (Wanganui). A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the New Plymouth district officers and ladies for the exceptionally hospitable manner in v.-hich the delegates had been entertained. Napier was selected as the next place of meeting in 1910. In the evening a banquet was held, at which the installation of the Grand Master and Deputy took place, and the v ttiring Grand Master, Prother A. Batchelor, was presented with a valuable silver tea and coffee service as a mamento of his term of office.