ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 103, 22 April 1908, Page 4

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

JiIKNM.y, Jji >\ AJiLE tUiliilXXJiJi,

OIK UCSINKSS SKiSIO.NS.

Ilk- I "link biennial meeting 0 f the -V-" A.iLu.l iiram-li „i r,„. .Mam-heater Lmu of the 1 mi«jMiiili'iit Older „i Fricudlv Society was ..p.-n.-.l m tile l*oK'>U'i' liall on .Miimliv evening, the Ulliccrs present luir: --I,"rand .Waster Jtro. A. lt,iu lii'lnr; (|mi ', (ir.uiu Ma-t.r lln,. Jaini- Alai-iiall; (Wresj«>nding Secretary Bin. .loiui Kershaw. Deputies Here Auckland district: I'.Ci.M. Bru. .lolin l'.l'.ti.il.„ llros. John Hark, S. 11. Matthews, \V. I liomas. c. u l'rov. (i.M. ]!,,,! ''"'l IMJ. Uro. C. U. Auihridge; : A~lilt-v district: I'.l'.OJl.'s ]!r,,-. .A. ■ Keicher and 11. Talluit, and l'rov. CIS. Uro. C. 1. -Kilning-; Wellington: i'.li.M. I lir.•. I}, I*. Ujasby, l\l\li.M.s i' i 11-. John Smita. 0. K. Uodber, W. liuise. i( .:d l'rov. M. 1-r. -. L. o. Knliert-on; ,\ ■ ('jy. moutli, l'rov. U.M. liro. C. I). Sole and l'rov. C.S. Dry. c. E. IHlringcr; Waug.inui, 1'.1'.0.A1. 1 iru. ,s. j. w'ataou and l'rov. US. liro. 1. Sak-k; llawke's liav: I'.l'-G.M.", liros. A. E. .1 ill and 1). iiilntyre, anil l'rov. I'.S. iiro. .J. li. Fielder; Asliburton. I'.l'.ii.M. Uru. I'. Williams; XVI-on, I'.l'.U.M.'s Uror-. .John Cordcr and J. A. Day; Molueka: I'.RG.M. liro. A. Windham: llokitika: F.G. Bro. A. ■]. \V. -loluiston. The follow in» telegram was read from Sir Joseph Ward, Prime .Mini.,tor: "On the occasion of the meeting of the Moveable Committee of the New Zeaand branch of the M.l'., now the greatest atliliatcd society in the Dominion, I desire to express my wishes for a successful gathering, and I trust that the deliberations of the committee will make for the retention of the strong position your great Order lias attained among the Friendly Societies of the World.—»J. (I. Ward.'' Congratulatory telegrams were received also from Deputy (i.M. Uro. Le Hone (Auckland) and l'rov. C.S. Uro. C. Foster (North Canterbury ■ It was dedded that all meetingshould be open to the l're.-s. ORAXD MASTKIi'S UKPOIIT. The Grand Master's report included the following:— l{edeinptiou of Contribution*.— The time lias arrived w lien our Order in New Zealand must do .•oinelliing in tlie way ol providing lor a large uumber of our members thoroughly deserving, and good in every respect but that of wealth, who in their declining years are forced to relinquish their membership through sheer inability to pay up their contributions. In a measure to ellY-ct this object I would point out the necessity ot careful management in working and close investment of funds, thereby building up surpluses anil devoting Mich surpluses to increa-ed funeral beuelils with the right at a given age to transfer the same to the Sick and Funeral Fund, and in part or the whole redeem the contributions of members to those funds. Unproductive Capital.—ln glancing through the statistics of our Order, one is amazed to read the vast amount that is returned a.- not intcre-t-lieariiig. Surely this can be obviated, seeing that such favourable advantage* are oil'ercd for investment with tin' Post Ollice Savings liank. .Medical lienefits.—The question of medical lienelits seem- to be one of very grave iui|>ort.i life to our Order in New Zealand, and one that will require combined effort to meet with the constant-ly-increasing demands by tile medical profession. It appears to me that the time is not far distant when we will ii'' compelled (should tile medical profession continue in driving matters as at present! to seek legislation on the subject.

Medical Dispensaries.—l am pleased to note the great lienetits conferred on tin' Order by the establishment of medical dispensaries, and would suggot that in every district where practicable an effort l)e made to establish a dispensary. Judging from the balance-sheets thai have come under my notice there seems very little doubt as to this move being oilier than a beneficial and profitable one. A ca-e came under my not-ica where a member of a friendly -oeiety met with a severe acvidcnt. the result tiring that it took upwards of clou foi druggists' snndrie-. exclusive of medicine to eITcU a recovery. I Jiow would this unfortunate memlK'i have fared had there not been a medical dispensary in that district? Clearance Surrender-.—This is a matter that require* tlte earnest consideration of all districts that have not a!le.idv adopted a -ft of clearauco surrender value tab!.--. Th»« injustice to inemlMT- leaving on • district or lodge and aiU't'tnr au:l naving to pay a higher raie "I < oMviUubm- can be ohvi.;ied by the adaption of a set of tables, thereby cnibling a tr.in.-ler of the surrender value and by depositing it with the lodge he i.> joining parses him on to the «ann' rate of contribution* as he was paying iu the hxlge be drew his elear-

anct* Innn. frpial l>'vii-.. During the last few \«mi< the *y*trro <»f promising large beni'tit< <m an oipul levy payment Ins been in vogue in New Zealand, and no doubt ha* militated asain-t the increase of nwmbeohip in our Order. Su«-]i a >y.-tem is not by the Regi<«

trar of Fiendly NH-ieties. and U an optional one and may lie out-voted by the members any time. Taking the experience of dividing the time must assuredly <ome when disa-ter will !h'fali -uch a sebeine. Then where is tlie unfortunate memlH-r who has (>;ti'l in for a number of years and tind* -ill his |wvments gone fop no purpo-e. l*>t u* adhere to our established principle, of paying an adequate contribution for the Ixwfit promised, and any surplus add to increased benefits. No one can exjMtt to receive a large donation from an inadequate payment: •*iie|» -cheine-* are Only or.es <if chance. I venture to say that such venture*, although militating against our Order at the present. nm-t ultimately fall when from our stable position we can look forward, and at no great distant date, to increased prosperity in our Order, members joining such sheme* have the geatest sympathy of our Order. I liave lieeu during tnv visits amazingly struck with tlie limited amount of knowledge the public, al>o our own member- (those not taking an active part in the internal working of the lodge- and di-trict«» have in reference to thi- benefit- of our Hrder. This will doubtle-- strike as (he position and ben*-i ,Jt >fM"?Mir Order more prominently he- \ fore the meinUT-> and the public. Vis [it- by the <;. M„ D.0.M.. (;.S. and diref- [ tor- to di-trict- and lodges, making the i meeting- a- public a- possible. will be t | great mean- of bringing the henetifjour nider more prominently forward. ! Inve-tment- of Capital. Members rc- | «|tiiriiig a--i-taiir»' in -eruring home- for | Ihen.-lve- -liquid have all the a—i-!-jame the Order can po--ib|y grant them land loan- granted by the central body, 1 i di-tri-t- of lodge- up to a c-10-e margin I of actual value, re-payable by monthly instalments, would have the effect of not only a.->-i-ting tho-o whom we ar • mutually i>ound together to but would, without incurring any risk as to !<■-- <»f capital, materially as-ist ,»ur member- and make ntir Order more poj'ular in the Dominion. The more e|n-e----ly 1 lii■ working- o) mir <>nler in New Zealand are brought under >»ne centr" tile g*ater the benelil- ui!l lie. The following invr-ti'jati-.n commute" wa- -et up: - JJeput i' - Thoiu.t-. .lull. I. Sltl it 11. C. rt. Sole. 31 nd Salek. Y. Webster \\a- appointed minute secretary.

n/KsDAVs SICSSIUX

Tin- Hklfelltm- 5 ( Miit'Tcme va- ie--iinn-d ,it a.m. ve«ter«!av. IM'Ji.M.'- Jianmher. Srll.itx \|a<ll''\. an-i uim \\>-rr |<iv-rjii. mrr imi'rd U\ tin- *.i:iml Ma-t'T !>) lal.r -".it- I'M il!- ri»!it . Tin- iijM.rf of tin Cr.u]'! Mn-icr !ii>l Hi* i'T- v>l- lead-.

DlltKCTons- KKINjHT. Tii-' i«')mrt "f ill*' lirand \T;i-t*t ami r-.;, r «l "! I)irc<lui- that tin* li-f r» )>i)Tt <•( il:<- Mi-tiT and !'»>;»r«i of l)invt.,r~ in Kn.jl.ui.! a* at tin- Ut Janiiarw -honed tlt.it. tin- 'Manche<-t«-r Tnity had now *%wr one million inimiilht- si" follow*:- \utiil>er of ndiill lit.»|■ • jni'Hi'xT'. 57 ,, .2U>: nmni»i»r of ."Init .V.WI: ;vlmiti*'d f "i inni<*r' incinlitr- reirMeivd l.r.ui l li' - r.fHJ: r-ni'-- i<-:

funeral benefits, 12,021; members of juvenile societies I 1."j,8(>7; honorary! member!) 11,755; members uf female so- ■ cieties 1082; total. 1 U2(J.SUi). The total .capital of the society at the same dale was j£13,37U,2(>!) Hs 7'/yd. It was a very gratifying feature ')! | tlie report that the (Jrand Master iu ' Holland spedaily referred to the in- ; eeas<' in the membership iu colonial and j foreign districts, the iiu-rejM' heiu;; 358 > i for tlie year. The director* .!.timed thai I the .Manchester I'nitv in New Zealand |h;id largely assisted iu tbi.- -übnlalilial j addition.

There was a very pleasing feature in | connection with the financial position of tlic Society, especially in view of the recent statements in the Pre:.* in referring to tin* financial position of a friendly society in a sister State. "The directors of the I nity say the financial condition of the Manchester Unity i* even hotter than its numliers. beeaus" with an income from all sources in round figures of C2,000.0ii0 per annum, ail expenditure of upwards of C 1.500.000. the annual execs* of income over expenditure is nearly aproaching half-a* million pounds. This is surely alum dant evidenee from a financial point of view that the ManeheMch Unify ran never go hack, and that He- Society i> determined not to he tune-d from the path it lias chosen of preferring financial stability to large numbers.'

New Zealand Branch.—The directions were pleased to report a satisfactory increase in the membership of the Society. Seven lode's had been opened since the last report, and there had been an increase of members numbering 570. The opening up of now country in the .North Island had afforded opportunities which the district had not lost sight of. The Auckland district had opened four lodges, Wanganui | two, and Wellington one. "Our desire jis that the affaire of the New Zealaul I branch may be so conducted that we [ may Iks of great assistance to the several districts and lodges aliiliated, and

bring our working more into unison. so that a member -shall be under no disability should it be necessary for him to remove from one lodge to another. There is a great complaint of the small attendance at lodge meetings, and it would appear as if there was a danger of the Society being turned into an insurance society only, at the loss of Iho .-ocial and fraternal experience of past

years. There is need, therefore, that we should keep in view those fraternal an.l philanthropic principles by which we hail and style e sll 'h other as brothers, regarding ourselves as one family, who=e actions are founded on pure principles, that we may be social, steady, consistent- and humane." Friendly Societies Bill.—After rc-

peatcd reference to this matter, it is gratifying that there is a probability of the Oovcrnment dealing with this Bill during its next session. Tho Premier, Brother Sir Joseph Ward, who has recently been admitted a member of the Loyal Fountain of Friendship l/)dg<\ Auckland, when attending the Premier Picnic in connection with the Auckland district of our Society, said he hoped to lie aide to pass the new Friendly Societies' Hill next session, when >oine im|K)rlant reforms would come up for consideration. Mr. Massey. the U-ader of

• I.- nppo-.ii.ioii. also spoke in favor of the Bill, iunl said there would be no party light over the HiU that- the Premier proposed to bring down, a* every member in the llouso would help to pasj it through. / Valuations.—During tile period that has elapsed since the last Moveable Committee meeting, the following valuations of districts have been made, viz.:— llawke\ Hay—With eleven loilgea anO 122") members, .six show a surplus and five a delieieney. The valuer sav* it is a significant fact that the latter owe their position principally to the failure to realise 4 per cent upon their fund<. It is a regrettable thing thai lodgewith a really good seale of contributions and all the elements of success should throw their advantage* and their money away by resting content with a return of i l /., 2, and % per cent. on theiv funds.

Wanganui—With ten lodges and IKW members, one lodge only, namely, tin Wangnmii Lodge, ha- ever been valued before, and is the only one to show a surplus; the other Lodges show deiieiencies. Tlte district as a whole show; an aggregate net deficiency of Cllb'2. The valuer iu his report say- it do I .'* not >eem that the district is complying with the rules of the New Zealand branch of M.U. 1.0.0. F.( to which it became atl'iliated recently. Uule 112 of tlie New Zealand branch lays it down that alliliated districts must charge tinrale* set forth iu table \ appended thereto. the rate of the Wanganni di-lrict, per annum -how a <lilVeien:-\ Iteing 2-> Id per nullum ;vl ago I*. 5- «sd at 22.. Os 4d at 27, 7s od at 32, lis 7d at o7s. and l!)s 7d at 12.

Nelson district.—i?ix lodges (a- at December »l«t, IUUS), and &J-V me?nl>or.;. Three of the lodges show a surplus amounting to and three show a deliciency of C 1047. leaving a net Mirplu* in funds of lodges (sick fund only} of U283. The District Funeral Fund ha» liim'u valued separately and shows -i

surplus of cCli)7o. The valuation balance-sheet of the Wellington district shows fourteen lodges to have a surplus amounting to JIH->7B. and three have deficiencies amounting to £UUt>, the district thus

-showing a surplus of nearly .CSUOO-

Insurance Scheme.—This matter ha> been referred to in the districts afford-

ing to the resolution of the last Moveable Committee meeting, hut ha* not yet met with very great success. It would almost appear that member* prefer to assure iu established assurance societies.

We are, however, of the opinion thai

some steps should be taken to provide that new entrants to our Soeietv must

contribute for a larger funeral 'benefit than thai, at present provided, and that present ineml>ers may also do \so on

providing a certificate of good health and paying contributions according to

l)ie -cale provided,

In this connection we desire to draw attention to a new table of annual contributions that has been provided on the

data of New Zealand Friendly Societies' mortality, 4 per cent., which provides an additional funeral benefit of .OJ for an annual contribution of 5s 4d at age Hi

and lite 3d at age 50, as against (is Id and 20s 8d as provided in General Rules. _ ' Cenimljgg^f olt 0 f Fuuds.—The mies-

'■toffi of centralising sick and funeral t uiul>> is claiming the attention '»f some of the districts, mid the ques-

tion will be brought before this meeting. This is a matter which requires very <areful consideration. We do not see that any great exception can bo taken to centralising of the funeral Mind, or, in other words. tj u . establishing of a Society funeral fund, to which all the districts should contribute iu a manner to be provided, and from which Hind all the funeral benefit should be paid. If it i» advisable to spread the Jiabilily in regard to mortality over a district. it is equally or more advisable to spread the liability over the whole of the Soeietv.

The question of centralising or establishing a Society sick fund, from which 11 t sick benefits would be paid, is one requiring much more careful eonsi I.'•ralioii than that of a Society funeral lutiij. a< the latter benefit i» onlv uncipaid, but sick benefit a recurring liability, careful supervision would required.

Some ol the clau-e- I In- report tt'-rc adopted; were held over to a later of the meeting.

MALANI'K SI\\WT. Xli,. Italain-e nl* Ilie centra! linily u;i> iv.h! ami ailnptcd. with the of the Minlitor.-. l»ro>. I'. H. Mhii'ii--''ll illl'l A. I !ir lii'i't -imwni tlic receipt.-; to have Ittrii: l-il forward CJ77 n, 7d. le\i--, CI 11 U est! I<U xd. r.'-i-lv.t----tioli lIT Ci h- tot m ] e.Vtl (I. !M. 'Hi.; < \jn-)t>iil hit \\:i- lj |!»s; X- Ihi leaving a rti'.lit I'.llail'e "l II- I<M. I In' ;i — ; i't- urn- C 577 l:N HM ami li;il>ilii:<- cm ,% credit kilam-e .1211 IIAKAIA AJTEAU

Tin' Investigation Coinmiltee reported <m nit appeal from the JJakaia himhH tin- decision <»V tin- Crand \|a> !••»• .iml Hoard of Director* in regard t'i ail .implication for di—olntinn. The emiin;iUv«' dUallmvcd ilie appeal. Unl »v f-innit'ii'lr'l thai fln' inatli'l' of the 111:1 :» m- <livi-i«'n of th,. fiimN he Miluniiled

for legal opinion, and afterwards to the I Registrar of Friendly Societies. 1 With reference to the Board's action, < Deputy McLeod slated that it had sub* ; mitted th e figures to the Friendly Societies Actuary, ami had made the alio- i ; cation in accordance with his report. i I After a long discussion the report was adopted. REVISION OF RULES. The revision of the rules was the next business taken. ! Rule 1 was amended to provide for tke admission of members at the age of three yearn in [dace of the previous limit of sixteen years. A new rule was discussed providing iliiit "any lodge or district may send to the central oflice of tli/- Society sums of CM> or any multiple thereof for investment, provided the rules of such lodge or district authorise the investment of their funds in the names of the trustees of the Society." and providing Jul' the investment oi the fundby the directors.—Deputy Jennings considered the rule unnecessary, lor Ihe iruslces of the various districts and lodge* should >ee that all surplus funds were propel ly invested.-- A i icr some di>cusMoii upon the maehiliery riauscs tnc whole of the proposed rule was referred back to the director'* for reconsideration, the wording (taken from the English rules) being considered ambiguous. > 3-1, which provided that "depui ties shall be chosen out of the present ■ and past elective olliccrs or permanent - secretaries of lodges,' was proposed to • b e amended. There had arisen in several bulges the position that visiting 1 members had been elected to the post - of N. 0., but, the lodge was unable to i appoint those brethren to Ihe district i meeting, and the amendment proposed I to give the lodges that power to elect » such a member as a delegate so long as - he holds ollke inutile lodge under general i rub' .37. —The amendment was carried.

Upon the motion of the directors new regulations for secession of lodges were auopted, the principal condition being that the consent of the Board of Directors must ilr>t be obtained. The seceding lodge must pay to the Board of Directors all contributions, levies, fines due, any amount due to other brauehes, all expenses incurred by the Board ot Directors with reference to the secession, and other equitable payments duly set out. Should a district or society fund be shown by valuation to have a surplus, the seceding branch should be i entitled to its equitable portion of the j same.

A remit, from the New Plymouth district to entitle memliers under 21 years of age to hold ollice on the management committee of lodges was withdrawn. together with a somewhat similar remit from the Wellington district. The meeting approved a remit from the directors to include a deceased member's widow in the funeral benefits.

Amendment was made in the steps to lie taken in establishing new lodges. A discussion took place upon the proposal to lower the minimum entrance fee and subscription of honorary members, and the reduction was adopted on the voices. It wa> resolved that an honorary member should not be allowed to vole on any matter connected with the finances of the lodge, but on all other questions, including the admission of members.

A new rule was adopted providing for the of a separate fund called the Medical Aid Fund, into which all contributions for medical attendance In- paid., and from which all doctor* 1 fee?; In* paid. At this xtage the Conference adjourned until 8 p.m. at which hour a meeting was held in connection with the Loyal lv\cel>ior for instruction in the ritual and degrees. The Conference will resume this morning, and a banquet will be held this e veiling.

The (Srand Master of the AMilev District, lJro. 11. C. Wilson, telegraphed fraternal greetings and good wishes.