LOYAL ORANGE LODGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 April 1941, Page 8

LOYAL ORANGE LODGE

ANNUAL MEETING ENTHUSIASM FOR INSTITUTION. A MESSAGE FROM AMERICA. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day.' Officers and delegates representing 71 primary lodges were, present at the 34th annual meeting of the Loyal Orange Institution of New Zealand (Inc.), which opened in Wellington on Saturday, the grand master, Wor. Bro. M. W. Leaman, presiding. Several past grand masters attended. ’ A communication was received from the Grand Orange Order in America expressing sympathy with the members of the order in the British Empire and stating that the American members had determined to assist the cause of freedom by contributing to the British War Relief Society and by aiding the British military, naval and Air Force authorities by any other means in their power. In presenting his report, the grand ■master said that in their determination to preserve liberty throughout the world, the British family had become united as never before. He reported that during the year he had visited many districts and that he had found an undiminished enthusiasm for the causes for which the institution had been founded. He had had the priviledge of opening many new lodges.

Bro. Leaman extended the best wishes of the Grand Lodge to the 129 members of the institution serving with the forces and wished them a safe and speedy return to New Zealand. The reports of the grand secretary and the grand treasurer, and the balance sheet, showing a satisfactory financial position, were presented. The delegates to the women’s conference and to the Grand Lodge paraded through the streets yesterday afternoon, first visiting the Cenotaph, where wreaths were placed by the grand master of the institution and the Black Preceptory. They then marched to ' St. Andrew’s Church, where Divine service was conducted by the grand chaplain, the Rev. Bro. McEwan.

The women's conference of the Grand Lodge was held in the Odd Fellows’ Hall, Clyde Quay. Wellington, on Friday night. The proceedings were opened by No. 1 Past Mistresses Lodge, Wellington, with Wor. Sister Hodges in the chair. Forty-seven delegates from all parts of New Zealand attended. General routine business and amendments to rules comprised the main business.