Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price 1d. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1886. The Late Oddfellows' Conference.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1904, 19 November 1886, Page 2

Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price Id. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1886. The Late Oddfellows' Conference.

A Confidence of representatives of the various District* of the Manchester Unity, 1.0.0. F., has just been held at Christchurch, and though the accounts to hand do not give any detailed information of what took place at this conference, we notice that some important matters were considered. It was decided to have an annual moveable committee for New Zealand, and a committee was appointed to collect information as to the probable cost of such annual moveable committee. The Auckland district, which was not represented at this conference because of the expense, is not favorable to a parapatetis committee, but from what we can gather this appears to be the only place objecting. The Conference passed resolutions to the effect that a uniform graduated scale of contributions and benefits be adopted, based on a five per cent rate of interest, with a proviso that Lodges should make up annually any deficit in that rate ; such scale to be prepared by the Government or some other competent actuary for adoption. That any member of a Lodge in New Zealand may join any other Lodge by clearance without increasing his rate of contribution, but the Lodge granting the clearance shall pay to the Lodge accepting it a sum required by a table of surrender value to be provided for the use of the Order. It was also passed as a recommendation to the first annual moveable committee that the law relating to clearances be so altered as to give full privileges to any visiting members, enabling them to hold office in either Lodge or district in the same manner as they would be able to do in their own district, and be entitled to vote on any financial questions, except they be directly' interested in the same. The resolution to popularise the Order throughout the colony by lectures, aged members’ homes, granting special benefits in special cases or in any other way, any expenses in such cases to be met by a general levy throughout the district of New Zealand, is one that must commend itself to every thoughtful mind. There is no doubt that Friendly Societies would largely increase their numbers if the benefits to be derived were brought more prominently before the public. The suggestions made at the Christo church conference is a move in the right direction, and no doubt will do much to advance and popularise the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows. The idea of establishing aged members’ homes is well worthy of consideration, and it shows that this large and influential brotherhood are determined to look alter those brethren who are past work through various causes. The formation of juvenile Lodges in connection with the Order was strongly urged at the Conference, and a resolution passed to that effect, and the Government are to be requested to amend the Friendly Societies Act, so as to provide for the admission of members from the age of 16 to 21 years, and that the necessary steps to secure this amendment be entrusted to the Wellington district. If these resolutions be faithfully carried out Oddfellowship will grow and flourish exceedingly in coming years throughout the New Zealand district.