MANCHESTER UNITY OF ODDFELLOWS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2942, 30 November 1916, Page 9

MANCHESTER UNITY OF ODDFELLOWS

A meeting of the board of directors of the N.Z. brunch, Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, was held'at the Oddfellows' Hall yesterday, Grand Master Bro. I. Salek presiding. There were also present I'. W. Watt, Deputy-Grand Master; J. Hershaw, corresponding. secretary; CI. U. Godber, treasurer; John Smith, Past Grand Master; directors, D. R. Loasby, W. Thomas,. F. . Anioore, A. G. Shrimpton, and S. Davidson; I. Clark and' W. Madeley, trustees. In opening the meeting the Grand Master congratulated the newly-elected members of the board on their appointment, and also reviewed the work of the society since the conference in April' lost. The report showed that this society was acting iu a very liberal manner towards those members that have joined the' Expeditionary Forces. Not only are such members relieved of the payment of contributions whilst on active service, l)ut the society is bearing the whole risk -in connection with sickness and disablement of members on active service. The secretary reported that to the present over 1400 members had enrolled for active service, and the Roll of Honour showed that 138 liad 'been killed or. died of wounds. The provision made in the Finance Act for. friendly societies to provide for annuity and maternity benefits for their members was considered, when it was resolved: "That this board is of opinion that the society should ava.il itself of the Government maternity benefit, and provisionally agrees to become an approved society conditionally upon the forth, coming district conferences, representing a majority based upon B.M.C. representation, confirming- the board's action. .The board also resolves: (1) That as the friendly society movement has been of such incalculable benefit to the State in the encouragement of thrift, the scheme does hot in any measure satisfy the just claims of friendly societies on the State to assistance, especially iu view of the responsibility undertaken by the societies in connection with the war risks, and is of opinion that the maternity benefit should be unconditionally available for friendly society members. (2) That in view of the equality of membership under the constitution of our societies, the. board strongly disapproved of the wage limit stipulated by the State. (3) That tho board renews the society's disapproval to the opposition of the National Provident Fund, which is financed by the State, to the detriment of friendly societies." . This society has established a Consolidated Sick Fund, which is maintained by a levy on a per centage basis of the total contributions of lodges to the Sick and Funeral Fund, in order to spread the liability of sickness claims on account of soldier members, over the wholo of the society. The trustees reported that they had invested .£IOOO in War Certificates.