FORESTERS IN CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1918, Page 3

FORESTERS IN CONFERENCE.

DELEGATES MEET AT WAITARA.

The half-yearly meeting of delegates 'representing the Taranaki Courts was held at Waitara on Tuesday. D.C.R. jßro. N. A. Kylo presided, and otter officers present were: D.W. Bvo it. Ward; D.8., Bro. J. Andrews; D.T., Bro. H. R. Cattley; D.S., Bro. A. J. Tuabridge. Delegates: P.D.C.R. Bro. 4. Coldwell (inglewood). P.C.R. Bro. W. J. M'Niven (Hawera). P.C.R. Bro F. Cowman and S.C.R. Bro. C. K. Harvey (Court Waireka, Xew Plymouth), P.D.C.R. Bro. G. Burgess (Stratford), P.D.C.R. «ro. A. J. Way (Court Taranaki, !N T ew Plymonth), P.C.R. Bro. W. Draper [Vfaitara). P.C.R. Sis. L. Tunbridge (Court Pride of Sew Plymouth). Sie. Burgcts (Stratford) was also present. Apologias were received from D.S.C.R. Bro. \C'i). (leddes, and also from .Patea and Elfhaih Court?.

HALF-YEARLY REPORTS. The district officers - report mentioned that during the past six months five, members, one member's wife, and two sisters had died, and three brothers m the Expeditionary Forces were killed in action—S. E. Carley (Stratford), A. H. Pearce, and P. A. Rook (New Plymouth). There were others who had made the supreme sacrifice, and to their relatives thity offered their deepest sympathy. They also regretted to record tho death of Bro. E. Walsh (Court Stratford), who had always taken a keen interest in court matters. The sum of .Clin f)s had been disbursed i.em the District Benevolent Fund, including £ll2 insurance of war , members. They considered the Government must help friendly societies in every possible manner,.as the funds of societies were being depleted by (he loss of contributions and death claims. Despite the losses so Jar in this direction, tfic position of the district was very satisfactory. The Subsidiary High Court of New Zealand met in Wellington on May •), Tnranajvi being represented bv ■P.D.C.R. Bro. A. Coldwell, at which a motion was carried asking the Government to assist societies by paying half of contributions of soldier members from date of enlistment to discharge. The iTfon. A. M. Myers had promised tu confer with the Registrar of Friendly Societies on the matter, but so far nothing! further had been heard nn the matter. Since the last meeting, :?"> members had claimed the maternity bonus, and claims paid bv the courts totalled £l4o.—Report adopted.

The. auditor's reports, suggesting a; small '■'•; -rense of fid over Ins,, year's levi". ':r,| a suggestion from the district''; <'crotary and treasurer rcgari*ling similarity of books,, were' received and approved. dispensation;:. A request was made b,y the Highs , Court to cancel registration as a district and be registered as a branch.. Whim the district joined in the proposed High Court formation, it was clearly understood that the rights of tiie district would not he interfered with, and if the request is decided upon the district officers believed the district would lose its rights, and this was not desirable.

Bro. Coldrcell said there must he some misunderstanding. . He was a member of the High Court. He had communicated witli Wellington and Canterbury members on the question, and both stated that their districts had not been asked

for dispensations, and lie understood that the districts would not be interfered with. At Auckland andHawke's Bay the question had been reviewed, but it was understood that nothing would be done to interfere with the district. They all recognised that the High Court should be at the head, but this would not break up the district. He suggested that the delegates do nothing in i the matter meantime.

Bro. Kyle said the district officers were strongly against giving up their dispensation. If they acceded to the request, it meant that the Taranaki district would cease to exist.

Bro. J. D. Mun-ay sa id he had attended Ilijfit Court meotings, and had no recollection of anything in this direction being decided upon. Bro. Coldwell said at Home they had the High Court, but also they had their district meetings. Bro. Cattley stated the acceding to of this request meant the consolidation of the district funds.

Eventually it was 'resolved, on the I motion of Bros. Draper and Way—"That this meeting nf delegates cannot under any eonsid«nvr*on hand over the district's dispr:m»ion."—Carried. HALF-YEARLY MEETINGS. Bro. Coldwell moved—"That in future delegates niw.t annually instead 01 nait- | yearly, and all special business be placed on an order paper and forwarded to each court two nivuths before tho annual I meeting. - ' In moving this, Bro. Coldwell said he desired to have it understood that he did not advocate r»>s for all time, but only during the duration of the war. It had been demonstrated that the management expenses required careful handling, and by dropping one meeting a year they would save a good deal. Holding the February freeing only would make the work more interesting, and by sending out order papers two months ahead it would make courts more conversant with the district work. Bro. M'Xivcn seconded. He thought that whilst there was a big call i.n the court's funds, they might well drop the August meeting.

Bro. Tuubridge thought this a wrong time, and suggested tliey might leave it to tho annual meeting in February, IflOO. By holding one meeting the business might mean a two-day affair, and that would prove very costly.

Bro. Burgess said lie favored dropping the August meeting. In the opinion of country- courts, the expense entailed of two meetings would be better spent if one was dropped and the expense saved.

Bro. M'Niven thought the suggested change would not be desirable." In holding one meeting they might have to rush some matter that required a good deal of thought. He was against the motion.

Bros. Coleman ajid Harvey said Court Waireka favored a continuance of the present methods.

On being put, the motion was defeated, the voting being: For—Bros. Coldwell, M'Niven, and Burgess; against —Bros. Coleman, Harrey, Draper, Way, and Sis. Tunhridge. The district officers did not vote.

GENERAL, dominations recced for next term of office wcre:-v?or D.C.R., S.D.CR Bro. R. If. Geddcs: S.D.C.R.. D.W Bro H. Ward; D.W., D.B. Bro. ,T. AndrewsD.8., Bro. F. Coleman.

It was decided to have 150 copies of the meeting printed and distribute! Thanks were passed to Court Raleigh (Waitara), for the generous hospitality extended to delegates and officers. The next meeting will, be held at New Plymouth in February.