UNITED TO ASSIST.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1476, 7 February 1903, Page 2

UNITED TO ASSIST.

[By Past Arch].

There are two things which, in the interests ot those dependent upnn him, the prudent man of toil cannot afford to ignore, namely whereby he makes provision that, in case of his decease, his wife and family shall not he left totally unprovided fir in an unsympathetic world ; and (2) a friendly -oeiety. whereby he arranges for those dark seasons of sickness eo prone to overr.ke all. I hope it is the exception to find a man, with any dependent/upon liini, in this district who has not provided for the former contingency ; but it his long been regarded by new arrivals to H imiltou as strong evidence of want of ordinary prudence and forethought on the part of the citizens that there is not r tiourishitii! benefit Lodge. In mmy towns of less pretensions than ours two or three societies have struck firm root, arid I doubt if there is in the whole colony auother town of equal proportions io which some benefit order is not well represented. 'ln times of peace prepare for war'is the uation'a watchword; 'in times of health prepare for sickness' should be that of the individual. A man whose life is insured, and who is also a member of some Lodge, has taken every reasonable precaution against the evil day, and may be classified amongst the prudent aud careful. A member of a Lidge recognises that his small weekly contiibution to its funds is as nothing compared to the benefits it entitles him to in case of need, and he has the satisfaction of feeling that ' come fair or come foul ' he is not. altogether the plaything ot chance. At the same time, should he be fortunate enough to never require the servics of bis Lodge surgeon or have to declare himself on the funds, there is great pleasure to be derived from the knowledge that he is indirectly helping some less fortunate brother in the battle of life. The Druid's motto is ' United to assist,' and it is one that is equally applicable to any friendly society by whatever name it is known. On Wednesday evening a meetiug will be held in The Waikato Aur.os Office to consider the advisacleness of starting a Lodge of the Independent Order ot Oddfellows (Manchester Lnity) in Hamilton. At that meetiug the rules and regulations of the Order will be fully explained and questions answered. It is to ne hoped that there will be a large and enthusiastic meeting, and, as a result, a flourishing Lndge instituted, thus placing our growing towu in a similar position to other centres.