ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Waipa Post, Volume XI, Issue 514, 26 May 1916, Page 2

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

ROLL OF HONOUR UNVEILED. EVERY MAN A GREAT MAN. The members of the Loyal Te A.wamutu Lodge, No. 7888, 1.0.0. F., M.TJ., assembled at the lodge room on Wednesday to do honour to its members who have enlisted for active service. Including representatives from the district executive, Hamilton, Cambridge, Waitoa, Parnell, and Shropshire (England) lodges, fully 60 oddfellows were present. Mr O. Wharfe, N.G., briefly outlined the purpose of the gathering, and fittingly- welcomed the visitors, and after greetings had been exchanged and the lodge ceremonies duly complied with, Mr Wm.. Thomas, P.P., G.M., director representing the society, was called upon to perform the chief ceremony of the evening. In doing so the speaker commented on the very evident and marked progress in the town and district since the time of his last visit 7 or 8 years ago, which progress, he hoped, had been reflected in the affairs of the lodge. Referring to the Roll of Honour, he urged all brethren to recognise their plain duty to keep the flag of oddfellowship flying, and to prove themselves good citizens in all the walks of life. Directly

or indirectly every man had a part to play, and it was for each to see to it "that they played their part in way. All could not go to the war because of circumstances or physical weaknesses, but for them was a clear call for work —work ns an oddfellow and work as a citizen. Of the names on the Honours Board, one represented a member who had made the supremo sacrifice. Another, who had been severely wounded and returned invalided to New Zealand, had re-enlisted. They had a right to honour these men, whose actions meant so much and who were imbued with the spirit that had made Britain a nation that set the lead to the civilised world. To-day, as right through the history of the nation, men had sunk their minor differences at a time of national crisis; they had abandoned all domestic quarrels to face the common foe, and keep the flag of liberty at the masthead. Touching on the affairs of the Order, he stated that it was in a position to meet all its committments, including any extraordinary demands that may result through the war. Should any member be permanently incapacitated, and suffer life-long illness as a result of the

war, the lodge was in a position to make regular payments on the usual scale. One important change in the government of the lodge was the adoption of the consolidation scheme whereby the district stood as a district, the strong asd the weak lodges contributing to the common funds. On the Honours Board of the Te Awamutu Lodge, 27 names were engrossed —the total number should be 29— representing no less th an 27 per cent of the membership. Such was a splendid record, of which the lodge could very rightly be proud. He need not ask the lodge to honour those men who returned or suggest that the memory of those who had fallen be cherished. They were, one and all, great men to whom no sacrifice had been too great and no duty too arduous to perform. The Honours Board, which was then unveiled, contained the following names: —

N. G. Ahier PI. A. Collins H. Franklin E. Greensides H. C. Hansen C. W. Hansen W. H. Johns J. Jones J. PI. Jenkinson F. Kay R. C. Linton A. W. Linton F. W. McConkey J. PI. Hi coll g E. Parker C. G. Stitchbury H. N. Berry A. W. T. Pollard N. V. Middlebrook W. Ingham J. G. Kirkham W. J. Bickerstaff A. A. F. Candy B. G. Candy W. Fowler A. Anderson M. D. Horneman L. G. North F. D. Wood

Mr PI. A. Whitaker, P.P.G.M., representing the Auckland district, said the ceremony just performed would live long in the minds of everybody present. It was fitting that the names of those who had served the nation so loyally and so well should be recorded, and the Honours Board, as time went on, would become

the most valued ornament in the lodge room. The board, which was very much admired, was of a neat and appropriate design. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr J. de Coek for having inscribed the names as requested by the lodge. SMOKE CONCERT. Immediately following the unveiling ceremony an adjournment was made to Mrs Heerdcgen’s Empire Cafe, where a very dainty supper was partaken of. The tables were neatly arranged and bore ample evidence of careful preparation by the hostess. Mr S. FI. West, P.G., was in the chair and formally opened the proceedings. After the toast “ The King ” had been loyally responded to Mr White, P.G. (Cambridge), proposed the toast“ The Manchester Unity.” He classed it as being amongst the strongest societies throughout the civilised world. It was still extending its membership and would make gr@at progress after the cessation of hostilities in Europe. The war had opened men’s eyes to the value of unity exf thought and action — to those principles which formed the very basis of the Order. The recognition of these,.things would undoubtedly lead to unpr.ecedented interest being shown in the affairs of the lodges throughout the world.

Mr W. Thomas, P.P.G.M., responding, referred chiefly to the rules governing the election of members. For some time lodges had not been permitted to accept new members, but that embargo had been partially removed. Young men from 16 to 20 years of age were admitted and the privilege was open to 4 all men who had failed to pass the medical test required by the military authorities. The desire was to meet all State requirements, which had such very real claims tfcpon the manhood of the country, but there was also the necessity to consider the welfare of the society. In some cases men had refused the benefits of the society until they had enlisted, and then sought its benefits in order to provide for future possibilities. It would be manifestly unfair to accept these men who, owing to the extraordinary conditions, would very possibly cause a phenomenal demand on the societies’ funds. All who were members prior to the war would receive the full benefits, and the duty was to assure this. Insurance companies had taken similar precautions, and, in some instances, had increased their premium rates. Continuing, he touched on the, social value of the lodge and made special reference to those who had gone from the floor of the lodge, where they had received their first education in public speaking, to prominent public positions. The' toast “ The Auckland District ” was proposed by Mr H. Salmon (Hamilton), who outlined the progress made by the Order in this province since its establishment 60 years ago. Mr Whitaker responded and spoke of the good work that had been done in promoting the true principles of Oddfellowship by those who had attended the district conferences. The men who controlled the district—particularly the pioneers—had been broad-minded men and they had established the society here on broad and democratic lines. Other toasts proposed were: “ The Allies,” proposed by Mr ' Ollard and responded to by Mr Sweetman; “The Army and Navy,” proposed by Mr Burgess and responded to by Mr Veitch; “Our Lads at the Front,” proposed by -Mr Veitch and responded to by Mr E. Parker; “ The Visitors,” proposed by Mr S. H. West and responded to by visiting” delegates ; “The Loyal Te Awamutu Lodge,” proposed by Mr Ollard and responded to by Mr O. Wharfe ; “ The Ladies,” proposed by Mr West and responded to by Mr Spiro; “The Hostess,” proposed by Mr West and responded to by Mr W. Boys, on behalf of Mrs lieerdegen.

During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs Richards (Cambridge), Tonkin (Hamilton), E. Parker and P. Fredric (Te

Awamutu). Mr Fredric ably acted as accompanist, and in every sense the evening was most enjoyably spent.