I.O.O.F.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2413, 19 March 1915, Page 6

1.0.0. F.

4 GRAND LODGE SESSION. • (By Telenraph—Press Association.) Auckland, March 18. The thirty-seventh annual session of the Grand Lodge of the Independent ; Order of Oddfellows of New Zealand was continued to-day. Grand Master Bro. A. H. Valentine president. The' following officers were elected to the principal chairs in the Grand Lodge for the ensuing two years:—Grand Master, Bro. W. Hunter (Christ-church); ■ Deputy Grand Master, Bro. R. Robb (Gisborne); Grand Warden, Bro. C. J. Talbot: Grand Secretary, Bro. W. Reid (Dunedin); Grand Treasurer, Bro. J. H. Hint-on CDunedin). The re-election of the veteran Grand Secretary, Bro. Reid, was received with , great enthusiasm, delegates expressing their satisfaction with musical honours and cheers. Numerous proposals for the amendment of the constitution were considered ' and some of them were adopted. A new clause was framed providing that financial members of lodges in good standing may'become honorary associat-e members . of other lodges on payment of a minimum contribution of os. per annum, it being agreed that such contributions ' should not be subject to assessment by the Grand Lodge. Three proposals for increasing the benefits to sick members were considered, and the executive was authorised to consult the Registrar of Friendly Societies, and to adopt the scale which he recommended. A ruling was given by the Grand ' Master and endorsed by the Grand Lodge that in matters relating to Rebecca Lodges the Lady D.D.G.M. is not subject to the authority of tin D.D.G.M. It was unanimously decided to increase the sick benefits in juvenile lodges from' ■ " os. to 6s. per week. A remit suggesting that • assistance should be given to lodges paying more than £1 per annum for doctor and chemist benefits was lost Another remit widening the franchise in connection with district committees was lost. A proposal that a travelling secretary should be appointed to assist secretaries of subordinate lodges in their duties was also defeated. It was decided not. to reduce the contributions of honorary members.