ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 241, 20 March 1915, Page 7

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

GRAND LODGE SESSION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. (Auckland, Last Night. The thirty-seventh annual session i>t the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows of New Zealand was continued to-day. Grand Master Bro. A. H. Valentine presided. The following ollicers were elected to the principal chairs in tlie Grand Lodge for the ensuing two years:—Grand Master, Bro. W. Hunter (Christchurch); Deputy Grand Master, Bro. R. Robb (Gisbonie); Grand Warden Bro. C. J. Talbot; Grand Secretary, Bro. W. Reid (Dunedin); Grand Treasurer, Bro. J. H. Hinton (Dunedin). The re-election of the veteran Grand Secretary, Sro. Reid, was received with great enthusiasm, the delegates expressing their satisfaction by musical honors and cheers.

Numerous proposals for the amendment of tlic constitution wore considered and some of them were adopted. A new clause -was framed providing that financial members of lodges in good standing may become honorary associate members of other lodges on payment of a minimum contribution of 5s per annum, it being agreed that such contributions should not be subject to assessment by the Grand Lodge. Three proposals for increasing the benefits to sick members were considered. The executive was authorised to consult the Registrar oi Friendly Societies and to adopt the scale whicli be recommended. A ruling was given by the Grand Master, and endorsed by the Grand Lodge, that in tlie matter relating to Rebecca Lodges the lady D.D.G.M. is not subject to the authority of the D.D.G.M. It was unanimuosly decided to increase sick benefits in juvenile lodges from 5s to Gs per week. A remit suggesting that assistance should be given to lodges paying more than £1 per annum for doctor and chemist benefits was lost. Another remit widening the franchise in connection with district committees was lost. A proposal that a travelling secretary should be appointed to assist the secretaries of subordinate lodges in their duties was also defeated. It was decided not to reduce the contributions of honorary members.