H.A.C.B. SOCIETY

New Zealand Tablet, 5 March 1914, Page 25

H.A.C.B. SOCIETY

NEW ZEALAND DISTRICT MEETING (From our Auckland correspondent.) The twenty-eighth annual meeting of the New Zealand District of the H.A.C.B. Society was held on Wednesday evening, February 25, in the Hibernian Hall, Auckland, Bro. D. Flynn, D.P., in the chair. The following officers and delegates were present: Officersßros. Daniel Flynn, district president (in the chair); James Smith, district vice-president; M. J. Sheahan, district treasurer; and W. Kane, district secretary. Delegates— Greymouth, Bro. P. Duffin ; .Charleston, Bro. P. J. Mullan; Grahamstown, ; Dunedin, Rev. Father Coffey, Bros. Hussey and Bevis; Auckland, Very Rev. Father Holbrook, P.P., Bros. J. J. O’Brien, P.P., and E. T. Miskell, WP. ; Christchurch, Bros. R. O’Brien, P.P., F. J. Doolan, P.P., and W. McKeown ; Onehunga, Bro.. E. J. Higgins, P.P.; Napier, Bro. John Corbett, P.D.P. ; Wellington, Bro. J. J. Xi. Bourke, P.P., ' and Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. (Provincial) ; Blenheim, Bro. E. J. Shanly ; New Plymouth, Bro. Hon. Wm. Beehan;

M.L.C., P.D;P.; Waipawa, Bro. S. McGrcevy;' P.P. ; - Hastings, Bro. John- McKenna; Leeston, Bro. John Patterson, P.D.P. ; New Headford, Bro. E. Dane, P.D.P.; Timaru, Bros. P. J. Nerheny, P.D.P., and Stephen Nerheny; Masterton, Bro. H. J. McMullin ; Milton,, Bro. Alfred Buckley; Oamaru, Bro. H. Duffin; Waimate, Bro. M. Hurley; Denniston,- Bro. H. McGahan, P.P. ; Westport, Rev. Father Ormond; Gisborne, Bro. C. Little, P.D.P.; Reefton, Bro. James P. Boland; Wellington South, Bro. Jas. B. R. Stead; Palmerston North, Bro. A. Max, P.P. ; Ashburton’ Bro. D. McGarten, P.P. ; Waihi, Right Rev. Mgr! Brodie, V.G.; Kaiapoi, Bro. W. Heath; Hutt, Bro. C. J. O’Brien ; Hawera, Bro. F. P. C. Cullen; Taihape, Bro. Jos. Leydon : Manaia, Bro. John McNamara Invercargill, Bros. F. J. O’Meara and L. Leahy; Gore, Bro. Thos. M. Robertson; Geraldine, Bro. C. Mulholland ; Wellington North, Bro. P. J. Rafferty; Petone, Bro. Fred Connell; Opunake, Bro. P. J. Carroll; Port Chalmers, Bro. M. D. Sexton ; Wanganui, Bro! W. R. Setter: Inglewood, Bro. J. W. Kennedy; Levin, Bro. Denis Daley; Millerton, Bro. A. J. Woodley; E Itham, Bro. Rev. Father O’Doherty; Otahuhu, Bro! J. N. McEvoy; Te Aroha, Bro. L. J. Lambert; Hokitika, Bro. Jas. Mcßride: Huntly, Rev. Father Cahill; Pukekohe, ; Mosgiel, ; Kumara, Bro. Thos. Murrav : Nelson, Bro. John Prendergast: Temuka, Bro. W. P. Rodgers; Woodville, Bro. Jas. P. Parkinson. Sister branchesSancta Maria, Auckland, Sister E. Kane; St. Mary’s, Wellington, Bro. G. Neville. District Officers’ Report. The following report by the district officers was read and adopted: —• Your district officers heartily welcome you to our annual district meeting, and we are specially pleased to have here so many direct representatives from various parts of the Dominion, particularly we note the presence of so many distinguished members of the clergy, whose active interest in the society we heartily appreciate. The increase in the funeral fund is very encouraging, viz., £534; while the funeral claims for the last six months total £l3O. The interest earned from the funeral fund investments was £266. The guarantee fund shows an increase of £SO. The investment fund for branches now totals £983 19s 7d. During the past half-year we received for investment £795. This is a very encouraging departure, and one fraught with great potentialities to the branches. The supplementary sick fund now shows* from receipts £137 Os Bd. This is one of the results of the new legislation passed at the last Triennial Movable Meeting. It is important, because it obviates the necessity of levies upon the members, and we expect it to diminish the deficiencies in the sick funds of the branches. Some-of the branches have failed so far to contribute to- this desirable fund, and we exhort such branches to contribute at once. ‘ During the past six months our district organisation has been enriched by the establishment of five new branches— St. Mary’s (Nelson), opened by Bro. M. O’Sullivan, P.D.P. ; St. Joseph’s (Temuka), by Bro. P. Mahoney, District Deputy ; St. Columbkille’s (Woodville), by Bro. M. J. Kennedy, P.P. (of Palmerston North) ; St. Francis Xavier (Methven), and St. Mary’s (Christchurch North), by Bro. F. J. Doolan, P.P. We heartily congratulate these new branches and trust they will prosper exceedingly, and we generously thank those brothers and others for their efforts in opening those branches, and the parish priests to whom we are specially indebted. We owe much indeed to the hierarchy and clergy of the Dominion for their signal services on behalf of the society.- As a result of these invaluable and potent services we have now exceeded sixty in the number of branches in the district. At ,this rate of progress we may confidently anticipate, in the near future, to reach the century. , We ask your ' prayers for the repose of the soul of the late Mrs. Flynn, the respected mother of our worthy district; president, and also for the soul? of those members and members’ wives who have been, since our last meeting, v called to : their eternal reward. The - resignation, through business reasons, of the office of

District Vice-President, by . Brother A. J. Martin, we deplore as a loss to the district.' In consequence of this resignation we have filled the office by appointing Bro. James Smith, P.D.P, ' , For the business contained in the order paper we ask your close attention, particularly to the scheme propounded by the district president, and it is our confident hope that results beneficial and lasting will accrue to every branch and to the district as a whole.’ The balance sheet for the half-year showed a credit balance of 1,034 12s 4d. A profit of £534 was made during the last half-year, though £l3O was paid away in funeral claims. The supplementary sick fund showed a balance of £137. The guarantee fund was £649. The sum of £983 had been invested on good mortgage on behalf of five branches. The sum of £II,OOO was invested on sound freehold from the funeral fund. Bro. Burke (Wellington) moved —‘ That the portion of the motion carried at the triennial meeting at Napier in 1913, enacting that the sum of one penny per member per week be forwarded to the district, supplementary sick fund by those branches which raised their contributions, to improve the financial position of such branches, as recommended by the Government Actuary in his valuation report for the quinquennial period ending December 31, 1907, be rescinded.’ Bro. Rafferty, Wellington North, seconded. Bro. Hon. Wm. Beehan opposed the motion, so also did Bro. W. Kane. The motion was lost. The District President (Bro. D. Flynn) submitted an exhaustive scheme * to maintain the unity of the society,’ and, after a preliminary discussion, it was decided to meet on the following evening, and debate it. Bro. Beehan introduced the matter raised at the late Medical Congress in Auckland dealing with friendly societies, whereat it was laid down that members should not be allowed to join friendly societies who were in receipt of a salary amounting to £4 per week. Mr. Beehan thought this suggestion from the Congress was dictatorial . and was one against which every friendly society should strongly protest. Bro. O’Brien (Christchurch) and the district president also spoke denouncing the proposal, and promised that at the adjourned meeting the executive officers would submit a motion dealing with the matter. THE UNITY SCHEME DISCUSSED. At the district meeting on Thursday evening the Unity scheme,’ which has been.engaging the attention of the branches for some time, was discussed. The district president (Bro. D. Flynn) outlined a scheme for maintaining the - unity of the society. If ; any branch desired to secede, he said, it might do so, but the many difficulties in the way should be considered before such an imprudent step was taken. The branch so seceding would have to be registered as a new society, under a new name, to give it a legal standing, and it would have no further connection with the parent society. He pointed out how burdensome it would bo in regard to elderly ’members, and in regard to the funeral fund. A more desirable course, he suggested, was to form four new district councils in the dioceses of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Management committees for those districts could be set up. The pooling and consolidation of the sick funds of their branches, to be invested in the names of provincial trustees, was further advocated by the speaker in support of his scheme. The district president added that in the south the society was expanding in a remarkable manner, and something was required to meet its growing needs. v■ - Bro. Hon. William Beehan said the proposals were far-reaching in their effects, and should receive careful consideration. He thought if advisable that a committee should be set up to discuss the scheme, and submit proposals to a future district meeting. One matter should be borne in mind, and that was the increased cost of management which the president’s scheme foreshadowed. | . Bro.; Dane did not approve of the proposals. Above all, he thought the funeral fund should be kept intact. He feared that , setting up ' dividend councils would tend to disruption.

' Bro. Hussey (Dunedin) said his branch, after carefully considering the president’s scheme, had decided against it. He thought it was unnecessary, and would tail in the aims and objects set forth in the scheme. Bro. M. J. Sheahan, D.T., pointed out the danger of interfering with the funeral fund, upon which unity so much depended. J Bro. Burke (Wellington) approved of the scheme. His branch directed him to support the principle, and to strive to improve it in detail and administration. Bro. McKeon (Christchurch), while supporting the principle of the extension of local government in the several districts, thought the proposals outlined would not tend to advance this principle. Rev. Father Coffey (Dunedin) said it was necessary that a change in administration of the society should take place. His branch had disapproved of the present proposals. • Bro. John Patterson said his branch left him a free hand to deal with the scheme, but he thought it might be further-considered by the district executive. Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., Provincial of the Manst Fathers (Wellington), supported the proposal. He did not think that the investment of portions of the funeral fund in other centres than Auckland would be antagonistic to unity. Bro. F. J. Doolan (Christchurch) thought that reform was required, but the present proposals were of a tentative nature, and needed adjustment. Bro. O’Brien (Christchurch) said his branch, after a long discussion, had decided to oppose the proposals as being somewhat crude. Bro. C. O’Brien (Wellington South) supported the scheme. Bro. P. J. Nerheny thought the foundation of the scheme was insecure. It was too soon to set up provincial councils for a membership of , under 4000. He looked to the early time when the Government would, through subvention, assist the friendly societies throughout the Dominion; then the proposals under consideration would be opportune. Bro. Rafferty (Thorndon, Wellington) said an effort should certainly be made to attain the objects in view—• viz., unity and extension of local government. The District President stated that he was well repaid for his labors by the enlightening speeches delivered. He asked that the scheme should not be put to the vote, and he promised by the next district meeting to provide machinery for the full working of this scheme. He did not load it now with much machinery, because it was inopportune. Father Coffey moved— ‘ That the district executive be requested by this annual meeting to take into consideration the best means to be adopted to promote the unity and propagation of the society ; the executive to take council with the various centres throughout the Dominion ; the proposals to be submitted to the next triennial meeting, to be held in Westport in 1916.’ Bro. Hussey (Dunedin) seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The following officers were elected for the ensuing term —President, Bro. D. Flynn; vice-president, Bro. Jas. Smith: secretary, Bro. W. Kane; treasurer, Bro. M. J. Sheahan: auditors, Bro. J. B. R. Stead and C. Mulholland. The officers were installed by Bro. J. M. Fry, P.D.P. ' ' .