ODDFELLOWS' CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 129, 25 February 1919, Page 5

ODDFELLOWS' CONFERENCE

■The annual conference of the Wellington District M.U.1.0.0.F. will take place at Greytown to-day, delegates leaving by the 7.50 a.m. train. Among the matters to be discussed are the fixing of levies to the various district funds; tho fixing of salaries and' remuneration of officers or members of committees, and other matters necessary for the government of tho district. Mention is made in the report of the District Committee of tho adoption of a. scheme for meeting the sick claims of soldiers on active service by providing for an individual levy of Is. per quarter, and exempting lodges from paying levies 011 Buch members. Tho proposal was rendered inoperative by tho decision of the B.M.C. to "carry on" under a scheme based upon: (1) An individual percentage levy, (2) drawing 011 the lodge S. and F. funds, (3) utilising portion of surplus values, and (4) borrowing from' the society funds, to pay not only prospective but retrospective claims for both contributions and sick benefits, applicable to all war members, The recommendation is made that, in view of the fact that war members aro not likely to bo all returned until 1919 is well aclvanced, war levies be continued for another year. The balance-sheet shows that the sickness cost has been below expectation, to the extent of X2'.)38, or 20 per cent,, the deaths being 102.