ORDER OF DRUIDS

Southland Times, Issue 24840, 4 September 1942, Page 2

ORDER OF DRUIDS

ACTIVE CO-OPERATION NEEDED In the report for the year ending November 30,1941, which has just been issued by the Board of Management ot the United Ancient Order of Druids, the necessity for members who have not hitherto taken a close interest in the inner workings of their lodges to come forward and help to carry on the work which members now serving in the forces have been obliged to relinquish, is particularly stressed. A large number of members have kept aloof from meetings and other gatherings, merely accepting benefits and doing little or nothing to assist in the advancement of the social and ceremonial sides, and the board urges all who can possibly do so to give some of their spare time to this good work. Their attendance at meetings would have a stimulating effect upon the loyal little band who are carrying on, and, further, it would reveal to those new helpers how much they had been missing in the matter of comradeship and the joy of service. There is, too, another way in which present members could assist, and that is by introducing new members. There are doubtless many adults and juveniles who, if the advantages of membership in the U.A.O.D. were explained to them, would be willing to enter into the brotherhood. The U.A.0.D., it may be added, is one of the oldest social and benefit societies in existence, the first Otago lodge being formed in 1880. In common with many other organizations throughout the Dominion whose annual meetings have been cancelled owing to the war conditions the Druids decided that it would not be expedient to hold Its Grand Lodge this year. But the report nevertheless reveals a very satisfactory state of affairs in spite of the handicaps which had to be faced. It is there stated that the society shows a slight decrease of members, but, compared with a higher ratio for last year, this decrease is by no means alarming. SOUND FINANCIAL POSITION Financially, the order continues to make steady progress, the accumulated funds now standing at £205,889, an increase of oyer £5OOO during the year. Claims for the payment of the contributions of those on service beyond New Zealand have, of course, increased considerably, and the Registrar of Friendly Societies has compiled with the request of the order for a further grant to meet the anticipated expenditure in this connection. Claims on the sick and funeral fund amount to £6,990, which, compared with previous years, is at a very high level. The position as outlined by the actuary in his last report, shows a percentage of onjy 2 per cent, below the expected claims, and the actual experience had, at that time, deteriorated by fully 8 per cent. .From subsequent sickness experience it would appear that no diminution had occurred, and the necessity for the exercise by lodges of all care is stressed. Steady growth in financial stability has been recorded, and the order for years past has ranked as the second in New Zealand In point of membership and accumulated funds. All along the years the many lodges in Otago and Southland have striven, and with success, to uphold the, traditions of the order which its officers and members contend is an Ideal one for the cultivation of right principles in the youth and young manhood of those provinces. WISE ADMINISTRATION

Although contributions from members is shown to be £5168, it is noted that as the years go on claims, especially for sick pay, steadily increase, and already exceed the amount received as contributions. The balance has therefore to be met from interest on investments, which during the past year amounted to just on £9OOO. This proves the benefits of wise investing in the past and wise administration since, and emphasizes the solidity of the affairs of the order and the advantages of membership. During the year a number of schemes for the granting of additional benefits and for attracting and improving the status of members were fully considered, and the Board of Management assures members that every avenue Is .being exploited whereby improvements may be affected and the best interest of the order preserved.—l/9/42.