ORDER OF FORESTERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10439, 19 April 1912, Page 2

ORDER OF FORESTERS.

A REPRESENTATIVE MEETING [Pf, p. Press A.sso<H,vno.\\] WELLINGTON', April IP.

The most representative, meeting of the Ancient Order, of Foresters yet held in New Zealand took place in Wellington this week, Brother W. H. Smith, D.C.R., "Wei I ins ton district, presiding. At the present time there are eight j districts of the order in New Zealand, each being governed by its own set of rules and varying as to the amount of contributions in one ease and sick and j funeral- allowances in others. There j are 16,000 members of tho order in the I dominion, and their eick and funeral funds now amount to £'280,000. The Conference is practically tho outcome of informal discussions that took place when tho delegates attended from all parts of New Zealand at the initiation of Lord Islington as a Forester, and the result will be a uniform set of rules and contributions for the dominion. All tho districts except South Canterbury, which is a small one, were represented when tho Oonferenco opened yesterday. Tho following were the delegates:—Nelson, Brother G. H. Allan, D.0.R.; Canterbury United, Brother G. D.C.R., and Brother Marks; Otago united district, Brother Brough, D.C.11., and Brother Macfie, D.8.: Wellington district. Brother W. H. Smith. D.C.R., ' and Brother Harlen, D.S.C.R.; Auckland district, Brothers J. Shaldrick and J. Stitsbury, P.D.O.R.'s; Ilnwke's Bay district. Brother J. Itedslow, D.S.; Taranaki district. Brother Fawcett, D.C.R., and Brother C. Tunbridge, D.S. Brother Shaldrick moved —" Tlui-t in tho opinion of this meeting of delcgateis assembled a subsidiary High Court be now formed." Considerable discission took place, lasting over the morning and all the afternoon sitting. Several of the delegates explained that though personally favourable to the motion their lianas were tied, and they would havo to report to their _ districts for final decision. A committee _ of seven delegates was set up to go into the question of tho financial aspect, and on their report being presented it was adopted by the whole of the delegates. Tho motion was then carried, the tacit consent of the High Court of the order in England having been already given for the formation of a subsidiary Higli Court in New Zealand, "When the Conference resumed this morning Brother Shaldrick moved—"That tho Wellington executive for the time being, retaining the services of Brother Smith, C.R., and being associated with Brothers Redslow (Hawke'fi Bay), Allan (Nelson) and tho mover (Auckland), bo appointed a committee to carry out nil necessary preliminaries in connection with the formation and establishment of a subsidiary High Court, nnd to that end they* draft rules and submit same to the various districts in the dominion as early possible, and that, such districts be requested to cupply copies of existing rules to the committee." Tire motion wnw seconded by Brother Brough (Otago) and carried unauimouriv. It was decided that the Conference should meet biennially and that the honour of the first High Court meeting and High Court officers should be given to Wellington. The. visiting delegates wore entertained at dinner at t-iio Burlington last evening and afterwards in Icon to ilio Opera IToil so by tho Wellington delegates.