I.O.F.F. M.U.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 90, 21 April 1902, Page 3

1.0. F.F. M.U.

R1 PBESS ASSOCIATION. Wkllibgtos, April 19. A revision of the draft rules was Considered at the Oddfellows Conference this morning. An efiort was made by the Ashburton delegates for the recognition and admission of women into country lodges, but the conference, by a large majority, expressed disapproval of mixed lodges.

April 20. The fiist meeting of the movable committee of the New Zealand branch of the Manchester Unity Independent Ojderof O jdfellow« was concluded on Saturday. Consideration of the draft rales was finished. Numerous amendments, mostly in regard to details of working, were made. A long discussion took place upon the question of contributions and benefits, and a resolution was passed which will he the standard for contributions payable by future members of tbe society. It was intimated that the scale provided for adequate contributions, and that districts would be supplied with tables of contributions basid on the standard. A paopesal to have an uniform scale of benefits for the society was lost. It was decided tbat districts be allowed to pay such benefits in such amounts as *hey deemed advisable. The q-pst'on ■of uniformity of benefits will come up at the next meeting of the movable CMuoittee in two years' time. The rules and tables as amended were adopted as those of the branch. The election of officers resulted as follows; —Treasurer, Bro. G. E. tiodber (Wellington) ; directors, Bros. M*n.hall (Ashley), Batchelor (Nelson), Pattereon (AsUburton), Bellringer (New Plymouth), Clark (Auckland), and Fielder (Napier); trustees, Bros. Leslie (Wellington), Thomas (Nelson), and Sambar (Wanganui) ; audit w, Bros. A. Guise ( Wellington), S. Watson ( Palmerston North), and R. Mothes (Petone). It was decided that the next meeting of the movable committee be held at Auckland on the second Tuesday in May, 1903. Bro. Hurstbouse (Motuelra) was elected as parliamentary agent.