ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14284, 5 May 1914, Page 7

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

CONFERENCE IN WANGANUI. ■ CONCLUSION OF YESTERDAY’S ' BUSINESS. FOUNTAIN OF FRIENDSHIP LOGDE. The Grand Master read the following “local” appearing in the Auckland Herald of Saturday, May 2nd: —“ The .action brought by the Fountain of Friendship Lodge against the Auckland dis rict and the New Zealand branch of the Manchester Unity and M,r Traversi of the friendly societies department, was before Mi Justice Cooper yesterday morning on an application by the plaintiffs to si l ike out part of the defence of the New Zealand branch. The part, of the defence undoj consideration was an allegation to Inc elect that on a da'e subsequent to the date of service, of the writ the board' o? directors of the New Zealand .branch; passed a resolution adopting and confirming "Mr Traversi’s report, and that such report was binding and conclusive. Af c: hearing counsel, his Honour- struck out the allegation, and allowed costs agai.it-* the New Zealand branch. Mr McVeagl (instructed bv Mr Ziman) appeared to; nlaintifts, and Mr McGregor (instructed by Mr Biss) for the New Zealand branchy" The actuary, Mr Traversi, submi ted reports on the" position to the Conference.. . . , . , A discussion lasting lour hours too.i rlaee on the guestion. The Board ol Directors was criticised for not prompting peace and harmony among the Lodges. Effective reply was made, by The directors. The Parliamentary Agent’s rrpon was taken as read. . The meeting proceeded to deal wu.i the rules. A" number were passed, and others wore amended. The Conference rose at 5.15 p.m. .

TO DAY’S BUSINESS. FOUNTAIN OF FRIENDSHIP LODGE. The Oddfellows conference resumed this, .morning. ; The first business was the report of the sub-committee set up last night to consider the matter. The suo-committec reported that after taking the evidence they considered that the trobule commenced between the Auckland District and tbe Loyal Fountain of Friendship Lodge, and they wore of tbe opinion that the District Officers did not take the necessary stops to heal the breach. Had they done so the misunderstanding might have been amicably settled. It was apparent from the evidence that the impression had got abroad that the officers of the Society had failed in their duty to effect a peaceful settlement. Tbe committee found that before the officers were in possession of the. facts of- the situation steps had been taken, and circulars received which stated definitely that secession had been decided upon. The committee considered that every possible effort had been made by the incoming Board of Directors to-heal up the misunderstanding, and it is desirable to extend the hand of friendship to the Fountain of Friendship Lodge and endeavour to get them to reconsider their decision. Bro, J. McLeod, Auckland, said that the Auckland District Lodge officers had 'done all that could reasonably be done by self-respecting men. ‘ . P.P.G.M. Bro. A. J. Ibbottson, Wellington, said that the Auckland-district officers,on May 27th were in full possession of the whole facts as to what was going to be done. It was for the district officers to , go forth and try and bring about settle: meht. P.P.G.M. Bro. Dean, Auckland, read extracts from circulars aud replies thereto in connection with secession aind he was of opinion that this wag a better way than attending meetings of tbe lodge. He thought that the district officers had done all they could. P.P.G.M. Bro. H. E. Bobbins, North Canterbury, wanted to hear both sides of the ca-se and moved as an amendment that one of the representatives of the Fountain of Friendship Lodge be allowed to state his side of the case. P.O.S. Bro. J. Sale*. (Wanganui) seconded the motion, and he was prepared to put his pride in his pocket and do his best to settle the dispute. lie thought every attempt should be made to heal the breach. v- Prov. C.C. Bro. E. J. Smith, Westland. -Also was of opinion that something might have been done to extend the baud of friendship to the seceeding lodge. The Auckland District was the head and conld have done more to heal the breach. It seemed to him that the lodge Wanted more information on the matter of consolidation and had invited the district officers to be present, and if they had been present tbe trouble perhaps would .lot have occurred. P.P.'G.M. Bro F. Araoore asked if the

Fountain of Friendshin representatives were armed with any authority from their lodge in the matter of discussing reconciliation. He thought that l if the representatives had no such power- it would not help the cause by discussing it. The Grand Master then asked the representative of the Fountain of Friendship Lodge if ho had such authority. I’. 0. Bro Zimer replied that he had no such authority, but was sent by his lodge to place his lodge’s position before the meeting. It was unanimously decided to hear the representative of the lodge. Bro. Zimer said that the lodge had been alive for 70 years and occupied a prominent position in Auckland. Applications galore for admission for membership, but is could not admit them because of this unfortunate tangle with the New Zealand Board. The lodge had carried secession. As far as consolidation went, the impression is that' one Auckland District was pushing the matter so that the wealth of the F. and F. Lodge would he distributed among the other lodges. He said that this impression might be wrong, but that was the impression current in the lodge. If a scheme of consolidation was put through a sufficient allowance would not be made for the future. Auckland was the stronghold of consolidation, and the lodge felt that they were going to be brought into it unless they made a move. There was nothing voluntary about consolidation it was recommended by the directors. The members never really got the views of the Auckland District at all. On the polling night was the first that the members Of the lodge heard the views of the district officers. Mery few of the members heard the address as they were busy recording their votes. Over 400 votes were recorded'that night. The poll was carried on Jnly 29th.. So far as the relations of the lodge and district officers, the actions of the latter had the effect of driving the lodge further and further away. Seeing that consolidation was not likely to be carried through New Zealand a scheme of consolidation was hurriedly prepared for the Auckland district, and this was, in the opinion of the members of the F. F. Lodge, worse than New Zealand consolidation scheme. They felt that the Auckland scheme was a move to capture ; the funds of the F. and F. Lodge. The members of the lodge holding office in the Auckland district were removed from office. The lodge is still in the 1

Auckland district and with one or two ex-, ceptions their members did not hold office They’were practicaLy dis-enfranchiacd. In conclusion he said that the members were reasonable men, and if any solution Of the trouble were found they would dptheir best to carry it out. The only suggestion he was able to put forward was the appointment of a sub-comniittea to meet the secretary and himself and see if some solution could not be arrived at. After hearing the representative of tin Loyal Fountain Lodge, it was decided t( adopt the report. It was decided to set up a siib-committe; to meet the two representatives of th- ■ oyal Fountain .of Friendship Lodge to sec if a settlement could be arranged. The sub-committee to consist of:—Grand Mas ter and Board of Directors, Bros. A. ,1 Ibbottsiph,: E. Smith, 0 Fry, (J. A. Me Lean, A. G. Shrimpton, and H. E. Bob' bins. CONSOLIDATION OF SICK FUND. The next business was the remit fron the Auckland District. That it was de sirable to use every endeavour to promote the consolidation of the Sick Fund ol Lodges find Districts comprising the Society in order to improve the financial stability of those lodges which are not actuarially sound. Bro McLeod said that the Auckland district adopted this resolution believing it would he best for the Society. He be lieved that it would help the weaker lodges. The Auckland District did nol desire to press the matter and asked leave to withdraw' the motion. This was re fused, and Bro. McLeod formerly moved the resolution. The motion was not soc ended, and therefore lapsed. The consideration of the report on consolidation of sick funds as contained in the ,rnnort of the Grand Master and the Board of Directors was the next business, Bro. Bellringer.- New I’lvinouth, moved G’at the matter be dropped. He was a believer in consolidation, but not at the expense of the TTnitv of the Society, It should be carried by a largo maiority. The time was not .ripe for consolidation. He was prepared to wait until the time comes when the members of t!>e Society were prepared to carry consolidation. The resolution was seconded b» P.P.G.M. Bro. W. Watt,,Ashburton, and sup ported by. several speakers, who nil expressed the opinion that the time was hot rino for consolidation The motion was carried unanimously. The luncheon adjournment was then taken. .. nftprnnnn (dm la/bes of the H v visited-Castlecliff returning, at 5 p.m. afW- partaking of afternoon tea at the Kiosk ■■ '■