RECHABITE CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3113, 11 February 1909, Page 5

RECHABITE CONFERENCE.

AFTERNOON SITTING. The afternoon sitting of the Rechabite Conference was resumed yesterday at 2 p.m. For the juvenile section of the Order a great number of proposed alteration of benefits and contributions were made. One proposition was as follows:—Proposed new scale of contributions and benefits. Contributions 3d per fortnight. Benefits: £5 at death after 6 months, £lO after 12 months membership. Half contributions to benefit funds the first year after transfer to Adult Section. No contributions to the Order after 60 years of age. Each member to be supplied with a copy of "The Juvenile Rechabite" monthly. Free transfer to Adult b.'anch at 16 years of a<?e. Cuntiibutions to be divided thus:—Levy to District lOd per quarter as under: funeral and Old Age Fund'4d; Transfer Fund, 3d; Magazine Fund, l£d; Management and Prize Fund, ljd; total, lOd. 8d to be retained by the Juvenile Tent. Entrance fee 8:1. Merabars to ba admitted from 5 t j 15 years of age. Members' children to be admitted from 3 years of age at reduced rates.

A proposed new rule was: Juvenile me.r.bers of Bands of Hope, Sunday Schools and Temperance Societies may be admitted membsrs by signing the juvenile pledge, paying an entrance fee of 6d. and 6d per quarter between the age of 5 and 10, and 9d per quarter between the age of 10 and 15; all contributions to be sent to the District by the Superintendent or other repsonsible officer. Superintendents to be admitted as honorary memb-.rs free on signing the Rechabite pledge, provided they have ten attached members in their Society. Contributions to be divided thus:—To Funeral and Old Age Fund: 5 to JO years, 4d; 10 to 15 years, 6d. To Management and Magazine Fund: 5 to 10 years, 2d; 10 to 15 years, 3d. Benefits—Same as juvenile members except the half-cont-ibutions being paid fo>" the first vear.

Bro. Fathers proposed that a committee be appointed to go into these matters, the same to comprise all Superintendents, together with Bros, Farrand and Nasmith and the District Superintendent. Bro. Wesney, on behalf of the Subdistrict Committee, expllined the working of the proposed sub-d : strict scheme. The idea was that two representatives from each Tent would be present at the sub-district meeting. Thesß districts could not deal with legislative matters, but could deal with matters)! relating to the various Tents in the district, such as increasing tlrir membership and e.-;3rvating the Order in every possible way. The districts would com; into competition, and by rivalry the Order would extend and increase. He urged that such a step would be a progressive one.

Bro. Munro proposed "That this Council affirm the principle contained h the report and remits the whole matter to the District Officers for the purpose of | roviding the necessary machiner - with by-law, etc., the same to be .. jbmitted to the next Council meeting." Bro. Israil seconaed the motion. Bro. Gaudin thought it would be better to submit the scheme to the Tents, and if approved, the District Officers could put the scheme immediatsly into force. Bro. Bennett asked if it was proposed to alter the basis of representation to the District meeting, to which Bro. Wesney replied in the negative".

The motion was agreed to, with the addition of the words, "That the report be received." The cirnmitcae appointed .o C3nsider the propes d juvenile alterations rdp;rt-id as f .HoWj:— " Your Committee, having read the correspondence and suggested changes in the rules for the government of our Juvenile Department, report that not having sufficient time to master the amendments, invite the opinions ot the delegates upon the i*"ems, as printed on the business paper. We suggest tnat the D.fc.J.B. prepare a model code of rules embodying the changes, and submit to the various branclrs for approval or alteration, such rules to be considered at the next District Meeting." Bro. Fathers moved, and Bro. Farrant seconded the adoption of the report, which was agreed to without discussion. The Nelson Tent moved: "That Juvenile Rechabites initiated into adult Tents having transfer money standing to their account amounting to 12 months and 6 months, the same being placed to their credit into the adult Tent, they become entitled to benefits «*t time of initiation, according to amount standing to their credit."

Bro. Snodgrass moved* the adoption Of the motion, which was seconded by Bro. Cass. After considerable discussion, in which Bros. Rash, Sussex, Goer and others took part, the motion was agreed to.

A motion from the Christchureh Tent was as follows: —"That in all cases where adult Tents control juvenile Tents, such adult Tenta be responsible for the rent of the juvenile Tent meetings." The motion was proposed by Bro. Robson, seconded by Bro. Bunt, and carried unanimously. Bro. T. Fathers moved the adoption of a table of contributions, allowing for larger general benefits.

Bro. Bell seconded the motion. He mentioned the competition met with in other societies offering large general benefits, and thought the optional table should meet with hearty support as tending towards the betterment of the Order.

The question of medical examination was raised, but the District Superintendent pointed out that examination was not necessary. Bro. Sherwood pointed out the danger of non-examination, and how fraud could be perpetrated. He opposed the table. Bro. Fennell opposed the table, it having no data nor regulations to control to the scheme. In reply to a question as to whether tha figures were satisfactory to the Registrar, Bro. Fathers replied that the Registrar was fully satisfied. If the Council required examination, all that was necessary was to carry a resolution to that effect. In reply to another question, Bro. Fathers stated that the figures were lower than those charged by the in-

surance companies. This was workable owing to the much smaller working expenses of the Order than the expenses of insurance companies. Bro. Fathers being granted permission to amend his proposition, proposed "That the English laws relating to the Funeral Insurance Fund, Table A, subject to local alterations, be adopted by the New Zealand Central District."

This was seconded by Bro. Snodgrass.

Bro. Snodgrass asked what nucleus the fund would be drawn from.

Bro. Bell pointed out that the nucleus would be the present Funeral Fund. The scheme would make the Order the foremost in the Dominion. The District Superintendent stated that no nucleus existed. One would have to be found by contributions. Bro. Fennell considered the project a good one. but one wanting in detail.

Bro. Sherwood pointed out that the English laws provided that a member would be in benefit on the payment of one quarter's contribution.

After a few remarks by Bro. Goer, the motion was put and on division was carried by 34 to 15 votes.

Bio. Fathers stated that the matter would receive the attention of the Executive, who would decide as to the data of putting the scheme into execution.

Some discussion then ensued as to the drafting of the scheme by the District Officer, the matter being ultimately disposed of by a motion to proceed with the next business. Bro. Fraser moved the adoption of a table of clearance values which had been agreed by the districts in Australia. The matter was a necessary one, as it was only a fair basis to work on.

Bro. Leslie seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to.

It was resolved that the salaries and allowances b3 the same as last year.

The Levies Committee recommended a continuance of the present levy (Is 2|d per member). The recommendation was adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows:—District. Chief Ruler, Bro. J. Wesney Inver.-.argill; District Deputy Ruler, Bro. R. H. Taylor, Christchureh; District Treasurer, Bro. T. W. Leslie, Wellington; District Secretary, Bro. F. H. Fraser, Wellington; District Superintendent of Juvenile Branches, Bro. R. Bro. A. J. Lancaster, Wellington. Bro. Frasar handed in his resignation as secretary, as from the 30th June next.

Bro. Wesney proposed that the resignation be accepted, and that a minute be placed upon the books appreciative of his work as secretary of the Order for 38 years. The proposition was seconded by Bro. T a ylo j , and after highjy eulogistic remarks on the retiring secretary by the District Chief Ruler and Bro. Israel, ths resolution was unanimously agreed to. The minute was agreed to as follow:—"That after 38 years of active, faithful and acceptable labours as District Secretary, our highly esteemed brother, F. 11. Fraser, finds that advancing years compels his retirement from the position immediately after being unanimously re-elected by the District Council assembled at Masterton. Bro. Frasar has occupied the position from the infancy of our district, during the history of which Bro. Fraser has been the mast conspicuous figure in its life and progress. We, the delegates assembled accept with the deepest ragret the rcsienation, and sincerely wish the remainder of our venerable bruther's years will be years of health and happr.ess."

Bro. Fr:.s3r thanked the brethren for their resolution. He would always take an active interest in the Order, and hoped on occasions to attend the District meetings. Owing to the vacancy occurring '.n the secretaryship nominations were taken for the position, the following being nominate J:—Bros. Fathers, Bennett and Lancaster. An election ensuing. Bro. Fathers, Wellington, was elected on the first ballot. Bro. Bell asked whether Bro. Fraser could be appointed a life member of the Executive, to which the Chief Ruler replied that Bro. Fraser could be appointed as an honorary Executive member without a vote.

Bro. Bell then moved: "That Bro. Fraser be elected an honorary member of the Executive for life." This was'carried with enthusiasm. It was agreed to hold the next District Council meeting at Napier. Bro. Rash proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to the local papers for the excellent reports of the meetings furnished. He stated that the reports given were the fairest and fullest they had ever received. The motion was seconded by Bro. Taylor and carriad with enthusiasm. Bro. Larritt brought up the question of supporting the Rechabite Advocate, and moved that £ls per annum be granted as a subsidy. This was seconded by Bro. Nasmith. An amendment that the amount be only <£lo, payable for two years, was lost.

A further amendment that a donation o± £lO be given the paper was proposed, and carried on the voices.

The installation of officers was then performed, and thanks returned for the honour conferred.

The retiring District Past Chief Ruler (Bro. Sherwood) presented Bro. Calder with a handsome P.D.C.R.'s collar on the expiration of his term as Chief Ruler. Bro. Calder, in a few well-chosen remarks, acknowledged the presentation. The unwritten work of the Order was given by Bro. Wesney.

Bro. Rash proposed, and Bro. Boulton seconded, a hearty vote of thanks to the Masterton brethren for the excellent hospitality ' and kindness shown to the delegates. The vote was passed with acclamation. A vote of thanks to the outgoing officers was passed, the minutes read and confirmed, and the Council adjourned till Feoruary, 1931, at Napier. BANQUET IN THE FORESTERS' HALL. A MOST SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. The Foresters' Hall was the locale of a banquet accorded to the delegates by the local Tent last evening, the function being on a very large scale. The interior of the Hall was

tastefully decorated with flags, and emblems o,t the Order, and looked most effective. The chair was occupied by Bro. F. W. Temple, C.R., who apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Mayor (Mr P. L. Hollings). There were present delegates from various other Mastercon Lodges, and many ladies. The evening was spent in the usual manner in the honouring of appropri-

! ate toasts, the proposing and responding to of which were accompanied by some interesting and instructive speeches. After the toast of "The King" had been duly honoured, Bro. Sherwood, P.C.P., proposed the toast of the Order. In an excellent address the speaker gave an interesting resume of the foundation and progress of the Order, which he said now embraced an aggregate membership of half a million members, and possessed funds totalling over two million pounds. He advocated strongly the fostering of a juvenile branch.

Bro. Calder, P.D.C.R., responded to the toast, and his remarks were chiefly addressed to the great work done by the Order in the advancement of the No-License cause. Bro. E. W. Israel proposed the

toast of the Southern District. Speaking of thd position of the strength of the Order in the district the speaker said it was now 1715. Nearly half the members were comprised in the three lodges at Dunedin, Christchurch and Invercargill, while three chief office-bearers came from the Southern district.

Bro. Mount, in reply, said that great benefit would accrue from the creation of sub-districts, and in the increasing of the numbers of tents. This speaker expressed high appreciation of the treatment accorded to the delegates at Masterton. Bro. McCreed also replied to the toast.

Bro. J. Wesney, D.C.R., proposed the toast of "The Cause of Temperance," the speaker tracing the great progress of the NoLicense movement from its commencement in the Dominion down the present time. He congratulated Masterton on its stand, and affirmed that the eyes of New Zealand would be centred on Masterton to watch its position under the new era.

Bros. Fenneli and McGeekie replied to the toast, echoing the wishes expressed by the proposer for the furtner progress of the NoLicense movement throughout New Zealand.

Bro. J. Goer proposed the toast of "Kindred Societies." In a brief speech Bro. Goer paid a tribute to the work of national importance in social and other ways dune by Friendly Societies of whatsoever nature. Bro. C. Perry (Oddfellows) replied. The speaker laid stress on the utility of friendly organisations, and suggested that the idea was not altogether unpracticable of one united lodge for the whole of New Zealand.

Bros. P. Gilbert (Good Templars), E. Pragnell (Draidsi, and O'Regan (Hibernian) also responded to the toast. »

A toast honoured with much enthusiasm was "The Masterton Tent," proposed by Bro. F. H. Fraser. The speaker said that forty years ago he himself had opened the Tent, (Auplause). Nothing gave him greater pleasure than to see that No-License had b«en carried at Masterton. In a faw general remarks the speaker eulogised the hospitality extended to the delegates at Masterton. and made other remarks of a highly complimentary nature in speaking of the subject of the toast. Bros. A. J. Minifiß and J. Heyhoe duly returned thanks. Other toasts honoured were:—"The Surgeons of the Order," Bro. J. Compton—Dr. N. H. Pry or; "The Ladies," Bro. R. H. Taylor—Sistar Smith and Bro. T. J. Rash; "The Chairman/' Bro. Fathers; "The Press," Bro. Nasmith. Musical items were given by Bros. Tooby, Morris, J. (Jray and Mips Joy. Mr C. Morshead played the accompaniments. A pleasant evening terminated with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." The catering at the banquet was very capably carried out by Messrs J. S. Alpass and Co., the excellent nature of the repast being the subject of much appreciative comment.

EKETAHCJNA. (From Our Own Correspondent). The season has been a very favourable one, and farmers in the district are unable to get fat sheep away quick enough. The stock have fattened quicker than usual, and the companies are unable tu deal with the quantity. Several bush fires have started in the district. There is little or no danger of their spreading on account of the green state of the grass. The ordinary meeting of Court Makakahi, A.0.F., was held on Tuesday evening, Bro. Nicol, C.R., presiding. The Woodwards reported one brother as recovered, and two as sick, but recovering. A lot of correspondence was received, and dealt with, it was also decided not to go on with sports matters till a reply was received from the Borough Council re improvements to the Park running track. The receipts for the evening amounted to £l2 Is 66.