STILL INDEPENDENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8, 14 May 1913, Page 4

STILL INDEPENDENT.

The question whether the Manchester Unity of the Independent Order of Oddfellows in New South Wales should retain the distinctive title of “independent,” which has been attached to the nomenclature of the society since its formation, came before the meeting of the ' grand annual moveable committee of the Order recently. The board of directors, in their report, said that the proposed alteration of the title of the society, by deleting the word “independent,” has been brought under notice by the Manitoba district, Canada. The board, in . the early part of the year, sent a reply to Manitoba, stating: “That, in the opinion of this board, the deletion of the word, or a change of name, is neither complimentary to the traditions of the society nor acceptable to the members in this State.” The Grand Secretary (Bro. T. Kemp) pointed out that the word “independent” had been dropped ,on'the ©ld Country, as under the National Insurance Act the society had become an approved society. The Manchester Unity at Home at the present day was merely a commercial concern, and for some time past regalia had been dispensed with. It was held to be a misnomer to call the society “independent” under the National Insurance Act. Another member said that since the society here had acepted the subvention benefits it had lost its independence, and it was time that the society woke up to the fact that it was dependent. It was, however, agreed that the society in New South Wales should retain the title “independent.”