Friendly Societies.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 754, 10 July 1894, Page 6

Friendly Societies.

(Christchurch ‘Truth.’)

Latest English files contain particulars of the proceedings of the Annual Movable Committee of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, which gathering this year was held at Northampton. The inaugural address of the Grand Master showed conclusively that the workers are fully alive to the advantages to be derived by becoming members of Friendly Societies. He pointed out there had been a continuous increase both in numbers and in wealth during the past year. ‘ 'This,’ he said, * was the more to be commended, seeing that during at least six months that terrible crisis known as the ‘ coal war ’ raged throughout the chief industries of the country, affecting not merely the great body of brethren directly concerned therein, but dislocating manufacturing energy and commercial advance of all sorts, besides crippling the spending power both of those who might otherwise have desired to join the Order as members, as well as those who, in consequence of the ‘ lock outs ’ and strikes, were utterly unable to continue their payments. Yet, in spite of this serious calamity to both labour and capital, the net increase in adult membership was 13,322, or more than double that of any other affiliated Society. Such a fact spoke volumes for the stability and security of their cause, especially when it was borne in mind that a very large proportion of those members were initiated at ages between sixteen and twenty-five years, and that no less than 3,791, or nearly one-half, were transfers from their junior Lodges.’ The total number of persons affiliated is 800,000, and the capital reaches the enormous sum of £8,136,532.