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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 29

(Reply to L.)

(Reply to L.)

Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F., Dunedin, To the Noble Grand Loyal Avon Lodge, I.O.O.F., Christchurch.

Dear Sir and Brother,—

Your esteemed favor of the 14th inst. is to hand, inviting a personal opinion respecting the desirability of reducing weekly dues to 1s. per week from 18 to 23 years of age. This affects a constitutional law, and cannot be altered except by the Grand Lodge when in annual session, which will take place shortly, and before whom your letter on this subject will be brought. In the meantime it may be stated that the Standing Committee (Executive Officers) of the G. Lodge have been giving this question, viz.," Rates of Entrance Fees and Weekly Dues," close enquiry and attention during the recess, and have had actuarial tables prepared at 4 per cent., on the basis of Henry Ratcliffe's tabulated experience of Sickness and Mortality in F. Societies, showing what every member should pay when he joins. The method will be according to age on the graduated system. From the knowledge possessed through these tables we feel persuaded that the Government, when they take action respecting F. Societies (which will be soon), will not allow the institutions mentioned by you to work upon insufficient scales. If the contributions of any Society are not enough to meet the liabilities on account of members as they grow older, then that Society will surely go to the wall in the future, the same as has been experienced by old Lodges in England. When a Lodge is, say 50 years old, it is then that the shoe pinches, unless during its infancy it has been putting by an equivalent reserve fund. No Friendly Society in N.Z. is working upon an absolutely correct financial basis, because they have not had sufficient experience yet of their own in Sickness and Death rate to enable them to calculate to a certainty what contributions are necessary. At present we have only English experience to guide us. The M.U.I.O.O.F. in Dunedin have larger Initiation Fees, and after a certain age have higher weekly dues than us. Some societies, again, are lower; but all these rates have been arrived at in a haphazard manner, and not on a proper basis. Our desire should be to keep as we are until our whole financial status can be modified permanently and soundly on the most approved actuarial principles; and further, we are extremely solicitous that none of our Lodges in the future shall dissolve through inability to meet just claims as they fall due. Some old Lodges and Societies are in the habit of boasting how much money they have to their credit; but they very often never think of the debit side respecting every year their members increase in age—the Sickness and Death rate increasing proportionately. We are grieved to hear that our present rates have militated somewhat against your success regarding a large membership; but we earnestly hope, after the explanation herewith afforded, that the matter will assume its proper aspect in your minds, and trust that renewed exertions for the future welfare of your Lodge will be exercised by every individual member. Personally thanking you and all those who have taken a special interest in the promotion of our beloved Order in Christchurch, I have the pleasure to remain, dear Sir and Brother,

Yours fraternally,

Joseph Braithwaite, G.M.

C. Lezard, Esq., N.G. Avon Lodge, I.O.O.F., Christchurch.