ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 351, 31 March 1910, Page 5

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

BIENNIAL CONFERENCE. SECOND DAY'S SITTING. By Telegraph.—Press As«o«iation. Napier, Last Ight. The meeting of the Biennial Movable Committee of the New Zealand branch, of the Manchester Unity of Independent Order of Oddfellows was continued to-day. It was resolved that the coming into operation of the central function fund he left in the hands of the Grand Master, and the board of directors; and that they have power to alter or add to any ink's' as nlay l>e suggested by the Registrar.

It -was resolved: "That the Manchester Unity of the Independent Order of Oddfellows of New Zealand branch; desires to place on record an expression of its extreme regret and disappointment at the deletion of clauses 15 .-.nd IB of the Friendly Societies' Consolidation Bill, 1008; that it trusts the Government will, in response to the request of a very largely preponderating majority of the friendly societies of the Dominion, take an early opportunity of introducing an amendment of * the Friendly Societies Act, by incorporating the principles of clauses.' 15 and If, as being eminently desirahle, in order to promote tln> usefulness and stability of friendly societies; and to prevent organi nations which are making no pretensiona to financial solvency, undertaking obligations which actual experience has urnply demonstrated cannot but prove disastrous to their membership, and consequently injurious to friendly societies generally." It was resolved that a scheme for increased funeral benefit, with table of contributions to be supplied to the Grand Master and the Board of Directors by the Registrar of Friendly Societies, be approved. A remit from the Wellington district! was moved as follows: "That this meeting is favourable to the establishment of a central sick fund, and recommends the Grand Master and Board of' Directors to bring forward a scheme for establishing such fund in connection with the New Zealand branch." Aa an amendment it was moved: "That it be a recommendation to the Grand Master and Board of Directors to have a report made by the Actuary on the question of 'spreading' the liability for sickness, so that each lodge shall pay its average." The experience of sickness in the New Zealand branch, as ascertained by the quinquennial valuation, shows that the proportion of sickness claims which have been paid by lodges above or below such averages, have to be collected from or distributed to such lodges by the New Zealand branch, while leaving the sick funds in the control of the respective lodges."

An amendment was carried unanimously that the next meeting is fixed to he held on Easter Monday (April 8), 1912. ••■ -im

The election of officers resulted as' follows:—Grand Master, Bro. C. E. Bellringer (New Plymouth); Deputy Grand Master, Bro. John Clark (Auckland); corresponding secretary, Bro. Kershaw (re-elected); treasurer. Bro. O. E. Godfrey (reelected); auditor, Bro. T. S. Powell (re-elected); directors, Bros. P. Amoore. A. N. Bntehelor. J. B. Fielder, D. P. Loasby. G. W. Sollars 1 and John* Smith: Parliamentary agent, Bro. Kershaw. The invitation from Ashley district to hold the next biennial meeting in Christchurch was accepted. The meeting has concluded.