MANCHESTER UNITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2771, 29 March 1910, Page 5

MANCHESTER UNITY.

BIENNIAL MOVEABLE COMMITTEE, . [Per Press Association.! NAPIER, March 2d. The Biennial Moveable Committee of the New Zealand branch of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows was opened this morning. The Grand Master (Bro. James Marshall), in his opening address, said it was a great pleasure "to him to preside at such a large and representative meeting. In referring to the progress of the Order, he said it was gratifying to notice that settlement in the north had been closely followed up by the Auckland District of the Order in the way of opening new Lodges. The Lodges connected with the New Zealand branch were, on the whole, in a prosperous condition. There had been several applications for permission to appropriate surplus funds in order to enhance the benefits to members. A resolution was passed to the effect that the meeting viewed with pleasure the affiliation of the North Canterbury district with the New Zealand Branch. ' The report of the Grand Master and the Board of Directors stated that the Unity was making slow but steady progress. One factor that had affected the Unity in New Zealand, in common with other societies, was the wave of depression that had been passing over the Dominion during the past two or three years. The Directors could not help thinking that there was a spirit of indifference abroad with reference to making provision for the future. It behoved them to see that ■friendly societies were not too much ■endangered by the provisions for relief in cases of age, sickness and accident made by the Government. The Directors recommended that the co-opera-tion of other friendly societies be sought in having the clauses made law that were eliminated from the Friendly Societies Consolidation Act. Reference was made to the approaching centenary of the Unity, and the Directors bespoke the earnest consideration of Districts for fittingly celebrating that interesting event. The balance-sheet of the Branch was adopted. The receipts of the Management Fund were shown to be £277 9s, and the expenditure £216 13s 3d. leaving a credit balance of £lO 15s 9d. The Relief Fund showed a credit balance of £147 17s 9d. At the evening sitting the Mayor of Napier welcomed the deputies. A telegram was received from the Prime Minister as folio..'s: —“On the occasion of this important gathering of delegates from all parts of the Dominion, I take the opportunity of congratulating your Order on its solid and continued progress. I trust that the important proposals before you for the benefit of your large membership will still further promote habits of thrift and providence among our people,” The meeting will lie continued tomorrow.