MANCHESTER UNITY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 122, 17 February 1920, Page 8

MANCHESTER UNITY

DISTRICT CONFERENCE. (Special Correspondent.) Eketaluina, February 16. The 75th annual conference of the Wellington District Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows commenced proceedings in Eketahuna. to-day, Bro. C. .1. Delncey (Provincial Grand Master) presiding over an attendance representing all the lodges but one. The Deputy-Mayor of Eketahuna (Bro. T. Parsons) attended, and welcomed the delegates to the district. The Grand Master, in his address specireferred to the part played by the lodges in the Great War. Fifty-five brethren of the district had made the supreme sacrifice. He mentioned that there was an increase of membership, contributed to by the Eketahuna Lodge principally, with a total of 34. The next district conference wns appointed to be held at the Unity Lodge, Foathcrston. which will celebrate its iubilee. Tho visitors were entertained at a public social, when a presentation was made to Bro. John Carter, who was for many years secretary to the Eketahuna lodce. Following are excerpts from the report of the District Management Committee: "It is hoped, whui the whole of the soldier-brothers have returned from the war zone, that both in Wellington and Wairarana a monster reception, befitting the glorious occasion, will be inaugurated and these noble members Riven a right roval hearty welcome for the part thev took in the Great War. Tho Government have decided to my n portion of the after-war sickness of soldier-mem-bers, and forms have been supplied for this purpose. A remit from the Masterton Lodge proposed that this Ijo not accented bv this district, contending that the financial position of all lodges will enable thorn to meet all liabilities on this matter. We are pleased to report Hint owing to the action of our Parliamentary agent, together with members of our own and other Kocictir--, the Government have to imrr.vc the malemitv nllowance from .Hi to i% and the exemption from .£2OO to ,£10(1. The increases caaio into force on January 1, 1920."