ODDFELLOWS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2141, 6 May 1914, Page 8

ODDFELLOWS

. — _$— HEADING INTERNAL BREACH

LODGE THAT SECEDED. (By Telegraph.'.— Vxuse &B&octaUon.) „. , . .Wanganul, May 5, . i<Hay s proceedings at tins seveiAtli memual cem'ereflco. ot the M.U.1.0.Q.F. w %f of, a Kiost interesting nature, fitc first business before the meeting jves the consideration of -the move taken by tho Loyal Fountain of Friendship' Lodge—a wealthy Auckland institution -—to secede from the New Zeahuid branch of the Manchester Unity. According to instructions, tlio com" nirttee appointed by the conference «i Monday to inquire into the position reported yesterttay morning in tho following terras:—"After taking evidence, wo ■consider that the trouble commenced between tho Auckland District and the Loyal Friendship Lodges.,. and wo are. of opinion that the district officers did net take tho necessary steps to heat thebread]]. Had they done so, the niisrm- { derstanding might have been amicably-! settled. It is apparent from the rvi-' denco that an impression has got abroad that tho officers of the society had fail-; ed in their duty to effect a peaceful ] settlement. Wo find that tho officers were in possession of the facts of the; situation. Ciraulars .had been -issued which stated definitely that secession ■ had been deckled on, vand wo consider that every possible effort shotfld be madeby tho incoming Board-of directors to\ clear tip tho ftrisHiiderstaiiding, and it is _ desirable to-extend tho hand or friendship' to the Fountain of Friend.* : ship Lodge, and endeavour to get them to reconsider their decision,"

Br«. Robbing said that tho'Feurttain of Friendship Lodge had seceded from tho New Zealand branch,, and it would probably apply to the Manchester Unity in Kugland for registration. He toped that a representative of the lodge would be allowed to speak, and lie moved in that direction.

Bro. Salek seconded the motion, and expressed the hone that the olive byatieh. would b» extended', ,

Why Secession Hapooned.

It was decided to heat the lodge's side of the question, and at tie invitation of the conference, Bro. Ziman, member and solicitor Sot the lodge, explained the positkm. The lodge had been founded seventy years ago—long'before there was a New Zealand branch oi the unity. It was a valuable Lodge, and was most progressive.- It had members: of over fifty years' standing, and those members regarded the Lodge as a priceless heritage _; the city of Auckland had grown with it. The society was fit present being besieged with applications far • membership, but because .of the unfortunate entanglement that had. taken place between, itself and the New Zealand Branch, they could not be received. This position had existed since last July, when the resolution. deciding to seeodo Was carried. Continuing, Bro, Ziffiafc said that 1 when the scheme of consolidation, was brought, down it-had received support from the Auckland district. The- Lodge, however, had had the impression that the .Auckland district was pushing the scheme with the idea of obtaining possession of Fountain of Friendship Lodges' property, and sharing it with the other Lodges of the district. ' The Grand Master's report came out recommending consolidation, and everything pointed in the direction that the scheme j should, be earned into effect. M'enienrhers of the Lodge were coi-ivhioed that if such a consolidation were carried into effect tho future increment from properties which they owned would not be achieved by then;, .Ttioy thought that they would bo-put oii-the same footing as Lodges not so well 1 managed, and not so fortunate.. They also thought that their birthright—-tho deeds .of their properties—would bo tafeen from them. Members said that the Auckland district was set on having consolidation and a State subvention, scheme of consolidation "Was sat voluntary, and. it was not acceptable to them. They it-anted.to beep clear, niid ■to do so they decided to secede. Thelodge did not hear the views of the Auckland district management on consolidation, and it was--not till the night of. the ballot' that the officers of the district visited the lodge and explained the position. Four hundred men voted that night, and ifc could be understood that little interest was taken in what was said by the visitors. That was the only occasion 'oil which tho Irtdgo had been addressed on the. sub" jeei. _ Bi't). Ziman did not think that ■district- officers had done what they could have, done towards cementing the good feeling between the lodge and the district. The speaker went on to say that members of the Fountain of .Friendship Lodge had been removed from/the committee, and three members resigned. Apart from the slight received the lodge Was practically disfranchised. '- the Olive Branch. In conclusion,. Bro. Ziman stated that tho lodge was amenable to reason', and lie suggested that a small commit-tc-e be set up to meet, tho pernument secretary of the fountain of Friendship Lodge. _. (Applause.) It was decided to adopt the report, A committee, cbifsistiug of. the 6.M.. of the board of directors, Bfos. Smith, Ibbotson, Shrinvpton, Fry, M'Lea.ii, and Rob-bins was set up. tovmeetthe representatives of the Loyal 'Fountain of Friendship Lod^e. A fight Ttat Came Hots . The next business was the consideration of the following remit from the Auekla.fld district; —"That this district urge upon the New Zealand Branch the desirability of using every endeavour to promote the. consolidation, of the $ick funds of the Lodges and districts comprising the society m order to improve the financial fit-ability of thpso .Lodges which are not actuarially sound," Bro. Saiek raised the question of tho illegality of consolidation, The Grand Master ruled that thematter could be discussed, Bro, M'Lr?od said that he represented a Lodge, with a surplus, lie saw i however, that tbe wealthy Lodges were not disposed to help those in less fortunate- eiroumstairees, and the Auckland district had a desire to withdraw the remit. , it whistle of surprise went round the room, and silence prevailed for a minute. A great fight had been expected on the issue of consolidation) and few ■expected that tho -supporters, of. the remit would wish to withdraw it. Bro. M'Lood thereupon moved the adoption of the clause. Bro. Bellrittger moved: "That the report of the Grand Master and Beard of Directors, eompiled aiid circulated by order of the Christehurch K.M.C., relative to ca-usolidatinE the siek funds of tho whole of tho Lodg'e-s iii tho" New Zealand branch having been considered by theseVeral districts, and the decision of a considerable majority of such districts being against consolidation, it is Hot advisable to take farther action, in vegivrd thereto." The ■ motion was put and carried unanimously, and with loud applattsc. The whole of the afternoon wfls token up in revising the rnies of the branch' and arranging rules tff districts and of the Lodges,