ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1317, 18 October 1872, Page 2

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

The fifth anniversary of the Loyal Greymouth Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., was celebrated last evening by a ball and supper in Gilmer's large hall. There was a very large attendance,- not only of the members of the Order, but also of those of the other sex, who appeared to be most interested in the welfare of the members of the Order. The large hall was tastefully decorated with devices appropriate to the occasion. There was no "Bet" supper, no programme of toasts, and consequent waste of much valuable time when dancing is the object which brought the majority of the company together. The supper was served in a room adjoining the ball-room, accessible at all times to all who chose to refresh the inner man. The anniversary passed off well, dancing being kept up until daylight this (Friday) morning. • In connection with this anniversary we may mention that we have received a copy of the special edition of the Lancaster Guardian of tbe 25th May, which contains the full reports of the meetings of the Annual Moveable Committee held at Lancaster. We intend to make several extracts from the paper, but in the meantime content ourselves with stating that the rise and progress of the Order from the constitution of the first lodge in Manchester, in the year 1812, to its present condition of prosperity and numerical strength has not been effected without many struggles and dissensions. The absence of- sound data upon which to base the scales of payments and benefits, and the general ignorance which prer. vailed with respect to vital statistics, at the time the Order wan founded, necesBarily led to errors, and as these things became better understood, the intelligent and leading spirits in the Society agitated for reform. It is always difficult to convince men that they should increase payments for value received, and great opposition was offered to those who wished to adopt measures to place the finances of the Order on a sound footing. At the Annual Moveable Committee, held at Newcastle in 1844, a resolution was passed directing that returns should be sent in from all the lodges in the Unity, with a view to the compilation of proper tables of payments and benefits from the result of the past experience of the Society. Great opposition was raised to the resolution, and many districts refused to comply with the law. At the following A.M.C., held at Glasgow, further resolutions were passed enforcing financial improvements, and ultimately the contention and opposition resulted in a secession, which has sometimes been termed "The national split," and the men who joined this party formed a separate Society under the name of the "National Order of Oddfellows." The great bulk of the Manchester Unity, however, adhered to the law of the executive, as the respective numbers before and after the split show. For while in January, 1846, the number was 264,000, of whom 255,979 were good upon the books, at the beginning of 1851 tbe Unity had only declined in strength to 229; 049 in all, in 1852, to 225,194, and in 1853 to 224,441. In the latter year, the Annual Committee, assembled at Preston, passed resolutions compelling each lodge in the Unity to accept a graduated rate of contribution, according to the age on entrance. : From this period, the rate of increase has again been rapid — a significant fact, indicating clearly that working men prefer to join those societies whose members are determined to frame their financial laws in accordance with the dictates of experience and vital science. In 1862, the numbers were 335,145, and on the first of January in the present year, the Society had increased to 458,159 members, with :an accumulated capital of L 3,000,000. During last year alone, notwithstanding the Society lost between 6000 and 7000 by death, the increase in numbers reached 15,000. The Unity is constituted of 3975 lodges, and of that number 3495 have availed themselves of the protection offered by the Friendly Societie* Acts, and have registered their rules. i