DROIDS' BANQUET

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12571, 7 March 1919, Page 3

DROIDS' BANQUET

+—.— | i, A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. | attended by governorgeneral, SPEECH BY MINISTER OF' EDUCATION. Last night a- complimentary banquet was tendered to Grand Lodge reprosentatives and visitors by the Christchurch odg°, s . The Caledonian Hull 'las well filled when Excellency the Governor-General arrived. G.P. Bro.tiei <. E. lalbot presided, and among the principal guests were tho Hon J iV ilanai i (Munster of Education), the Mayor 0 ( Christchurch (Mr H. Holland) Mr L M. Isitt, M.P., Dr cteais&taT' ** •" Following on the loyal toast, the chairman proposed the toast of his Exthlfir Lor n Llv ® r P°ol. He said that lus Excellency had honoured the banquet by jus presence, and tho brothlen were pleased to have him among them. Ho was sure that his Excellency when he came to leave New Zealand would..do so with very pleasant memories and would he followed by the heartiest, good wishes. , His Excellency, who was most enthusiasticaHy greeted, expressed his sense of the honour done him by the lodges, and said that he hoped he would meet the brethren again. 'He congratulated I he members of all friendly societies on I their remarkable achievement in send- | mg forth so many men to the European war during the past, four years (An. plause.) While'all were glad at the conclusion of the war, they must take for future problems, and he behoved that the friendly ' societies wouid hdp greatly in solving these difficult problems. Ho warned hia Ijearers of the reaction that could bo expected after any great upheaval.' Every throne in 1848 had tottered save that oL Britain, and the reason whv the British throne stood was that the British Constitution was founded on freedom. (Applause.) If this was still the case., every member of the community as an indispensable pawn, must, get together to make a really good show to prove that the deeds of valour of the last, four years and the lives lost had not been in vain. (Applause.) To the organisation of societies such as those he was addressing he looked for the utmost assistance. His Excellency thanked the brethren in conclusion for the honour they had done him in in-' him to he present. Tho toast of “ Our Departed Heroes ” was proposed by Dr Thacker in sympathetic terms. He said that over 400 Druids from Canterbury, or one-sixth to the fraternity, had gone to the front, an were still there. Ho was quite confident that the friendly societies and foremost among them' the Druids, would make it their duty to look after the dependents of men who had fallen in the war. The toast was drunk in silence. Ihe Parliament, of-New Zealand” was proposed by P.G.P. Brother E. W. tnmpson, coupled with the names of M ™, Dr Thacker and Mr Isitt. , f, on , Hanan, in responding, testified to the groat interest taken by all members of Parliament in 1 the friendly societies, which had assisted ably in problems arising out of the war. ihe _ Canterbury District of Druids Avas formed in 1894. Its membership v? S inDF P nd tiao funds were £13,396. By 191/ the membership was ,2763 and the funds were £63,955, so that, while tho membership had more than.doubled the tunas had increased nearly five-fold T an excellent illustration of tho financial strength built up by societies conducted on sound lines. As for New Zealand societies in, general, since 1887 there had been j/rid by all societies the oggnfeate sums;— Sick pav £1,480,/9/, funeral benefits £332.149, . ■ and medicines £1,369,211. The total .funds in 1917 amounted to £2,052,753, giving .an. average capital per member.- of £2.9 17s. the highest of any State on record. (Applause.) , These .figures demonstrated a huge amount of self help and thrift, ..as the large sums for benefits were the accumulations of the small contributions of members judiciously invested and protected. During the last tour years the Friendly Societies had to meet the greatest crisis in their existence. Although it was feared by some that the war experience would seriously affect their stability, the farseeing work carried out by the friendly society leaders many rears ago in estohusfijng sound financial methods had enabled, those organisations to weather tne crisis. The Government of New Zealand had treated friendly societies more liberally than any other Government, and with the able assistance of the societies lie hoped to seo everythin" end well. It was a forward step to induce the Government to recognise the societies, and tho Government wished thear good work to continue. In conclusion, Air Hanan expressed his profound respect for the Druids order, and wished it all success in the future; (Applause.) V 1 Air L. Al. Is:tt in a humorous speech spoke of the very substantial benefits paid by Druids Lodges, and wished them success, increase and prosperity. Dr Thacker spoke interestingly of the monuments of ancient. Druidism and the admirable qualities handed down to present-day Druids by a virile ances.-ry. Referring to the popularity or Loia Liverpool, he went on to sav, amid applause, that the utmost gratitude was due to her Excellency, whoso name, by reason of the Lady Liverpool ticuch comforts, would live as long as that of Anzac. . Other toasts were“ The City Council,” proposed by P.G.P, Brother P. George and responded to by the Mayor; The Grand Lodge of Canterbury.” proposed by Brother E. Rudkin (A“.O. Foresters) and responded to by the Grand Guardian, BrotherßestalT; “Sister Grand Lodges,” proposed by P.G.P. Brother J. Burgess; “ The Army and Navy and Allies,” proposed bv P.g. Brother E. Cameron' “Kindred Societies,” proposed by G.T. Brother J. Jowsey and responded to bv visiting brethren. Musical items were given at intervals, and a very successful function closed with “ Auld Lang Syne ” and “ God Save the King.”