ODDFELLOWS' CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3017, 2 March 1917, Page 6

ODDFELLOWS' CONFERENCE

(From Our Special Correspondent.) Masterton, February 28. ■•_ The annual conference of the Wellington District Independent Order of Oddfellows (Manchester Unity) was opened at Masterton on Tuesday. G.M. Bro. A. M. Salek (Britannia Lodge, "Wellington) presided, and there was u large attendance of delegates. Tho visitors were officially welcomed by Councillor Temple. The district management committee reported tho_ loss of twenty two members by <Teath at tho war. Up to.the end of the year this district had sftnt 213 members to the front. A total of 1400 members of the society had joined tlie Expeditionary Forces up till the end of November, of whom 138 had been killed or died of wounds. Tho district trustees had invested a sum of £520 in war bonds, and several local lodges had also invested in these bonds. Attention was drawn to tho statej cf the district mombers' account, which, owing to the large amount _ of, sick benefits paid, showed a debit on the year of ss. 6d. The management account also showed a debit of £64 Bs. 7d. The committee recommended a levy this year to the management fund of 3s. uer member, in order to clear off the debit balance. A lengthy discusk"7);i ensued on the scheme offered io friendly societies by tho Government. Tt was decided that tho next conferenco bo hold in the Loyal Britannia LodfiOj Wellington,