MANCHESTER UNITY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 777, 29 March 1910, Page 9

MANCHESTER UNITY.

"A SPIRIT OF INDIFFERENCE ' ' _ ■ ABROAD," SUGGESTED LEGISLATION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) . Napier, March 28. The biennial meeting of tho Movable Committee of the New Zealand Branch of the Manchester Unity, Independent Order of Oddfellows, was opened this morning. The Grand Master (Bro. James Karshall), in his opening address, said it was a great pleasure to him to . preside at such a large and representative meeting. In referring to the progress of the order, he said it was ■ gratirying to notice that settlement in the north had been closely followed up by the Auckland district in the way of opening new lodges. The lodges connected with the New Zealand branch were on the whole in a prosperous condition. There had been several applications for permission to appropriate surplus funds to enhance benefits to members. A resolution was. passed that the meeting viewed with pleasure'the affiliation of the North Canterbury district with the New Zealand., branch. The report, of the Grand Master and the board of director's stated that the unity was making'slow but steady progress. One. factor that had alfected the. Unity in New Zealand in common ■ with other societies was • the wave of depression that, had been passing over the Dominion during the past two or three years. /The directors could not help thinking there was a spirit of indifference abroad . with reference to .making' provision for the future. It behoved .them to see that the friendly societies were.not too much endangered by the provisions for relief in cases of age, sickness, 1 and accident made by tho Government. The directors recommended that the co-operation of other friendly: societies be sought in having the clauses made law that were eliminated from ; the Friendly.: Societies Conciliation Act.,

■ Reference, was mad© to the approaching centenary of the Unity, and _ the directors bespoke the earnest consider-'. o-tkm of the districts'for fittingly celebrating that, interesting event. .'■■;■■/■ .The. balance-sheet-of the bfa'nch wasadopted. The : receipts of the management fund .were shown to; be £277 95., and/the expenditure..£2l6 13s. 3d., leaving a credit balance of £60 15s. 9d. The relief- fund' showed, a credit balance of £147 17s. 9d. V; .""■' ■*''-"'.. At .the evening sitting, A the; Mayor "of Napier .welcomed the deputies;': ■A telegram' was , received . from the Prime Minister as follows:—"On ' the .occasion of this important gathering w delegates' from all parts of .the Dominion, I take the opportunity .of congratulating your Order on its solid and continued progress'. .'.''l trust, that the important proposals, before you for .the benefit of your large membership will still further promote the habits ...of. thrift and provid'enco among our ] people." '.' _ .' _. ~,.-. ■'-.. The meeting'will bo continued..tomorrow. '~;■''