WOMEN AS ODDFELLOWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 103, 22 April 1908, Page 2

WOMEN AS ODDFELLOWS.

AX IMPORTANT DECISION. At yesterday afternoon's session of the Biennial Moveable Committee of the New Zealand Branch of Oddfellows, Deputy (J. E. Bcllringer (New Plymouth) moved* to add a new rule: "In places where there is no female branch within a distance of three miles, females may (with the consent of the district) be admitted and become membere of male bulges. They shall [my contributions and receive benefits-in accordance with rules and tables governing female member-.'"' The mover said that this motion wa< mep'ly in accord with the attitude of the people <■(' New ZtMlniid I uwa n-l* ui'iin'ii. Tii«y had b«<f>» admitted tu tIm v political franchise, and "equal pay tor equal work"' was the cry now bring raided <>n behalf of women. Tliey were iH'cuiiing wage-earners more and m n i'e. au-.l th' 1 oddfellows should admit them in the fullest advantages. Conservative England had made this advance, and ii \\a>> po*>ible to admit women as members everywhere but ill "progressive' New Zealand. The old stock argument that woman's business instinct had not been developed was all very well in the days prior to civilisation. lie thought that the progress of the Dominion was in a. measure attributable to the female franchise, which would also make for the benefit of Oddfellowship. It was argued, too, that there would be dilliculty in defining illnesses, but that had been overcome at HomeThe Taranaki district was almost unanimously in favour of the remit. Though the committee might hold back this reform for a time, it was coming, ilk could not imagine how such a progressive Unity as this should withhold its recognition of the worth of woman. Deputy Loasby seconded, and strong-

ly supported the motion, instancing tne .success that had attended the ventuiv in other societies. Were the Oddfellows afraid of the ladies, or that they would be contaminated by the ladies, or the ladies contaminated by contact with Oddfeliowship, or what was the objection? Adoption of the motion would spell advance in the Order. Deputy C. i). Sole stated that the

best-attended lodge meeting in Taranalii was that of a " misted" in New Plymouth,

! Deputy Fielder thought the presence of lady member* would elevate the tone of the lodges. The lodges would no longer be looked upon (as they were by some people) as places where their Sons and daughters should not. attend. There would lie, however, some diflieulty in arranging with the medical profession. Deputy .I'-imings (North Canterbury) favour'',| i||<> i,lea, and thought I lie privileges should be extended to admit

ladies an honorary members also. Deputy Salek -aid he would voti jiigaiiK the motion, believing it would not contribute to the happiness or pro gr?ss of the lodges. Tlie Oddfellows lodge was - purely a mail's lodge/-' ami the men, when business was slack, enjoyed their pipe. IHs idea was that the presence of female members would detract from th"ir membership. He had no objection to the ladies forming lodges of their own.

Deputy .Smith .-poke of the success which had it! I elided the innovation eNe ulil'le. Jin- |,reselKe of I In- ladies ill'hired ;i soci;,l>le jnni. thai \va- nllril ■ ih-'lil ill 111,' poorlv all en, led cuunlrv I "(ili i' -

lii'imly Ilodber was pleased |„ !),,, liliUllT Wit S being 1;,];,.,, |,|, in . „.|j,„,,| v than .it former Hurting. ||i s own ~x . |M ificiiLt' of women as Oddfellows led linn to support (ho motion.

Deputy MiJntyic (Diinnevirkc) stilted that lite ihutghler.s of members of |,is lodge. upon (Kissing Ihe age of sixteen icars. were readily accepted by the duetors ii|h,ii (he pnyjuent of the usual lis 3d |"'V '(iiiirlcr. Dcpul.v l!elli iii-,-1- slated (hat tile idea \\iis not dial |], ( . ] ;l ,|i ( , s W ouJd ae( ; ,s decins. ],,,t !!,,. dislriet was moving " !N " s •' '"''lter of justice. He iii - llueed ll,e ease of a Inniily in which la llrl '/ IM, I sons had been a-t Mauds Oddfellows' lodges. hut 'la"fillers |,a,l been compelled lo J"" 1 lh " ''eeliiihiles, and their ehildren ; ' lrivl,ll f ''«ui the 0(1(1cllows lodge-room. 11,. ~ t-rilmtv , "'''l'ly "f the women, who, he -Hid. were oil ii level or on a higher I' 1 -" 1 " "t ability than their •* i„ many w.ilk-, of life. ' J i" "a., carried mi :i show ,'! I'i vote, 1,, 11. aiiil |h" ireonjej