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In doing this I am sure you fully appreciate the responsibilities placed upon you as representatives of the Subordinate lodges. Realizing this I am convinced that evpry effort will be made to further the interest of or.r belov* d Order. Thar, all your decisions may redound to our credit, and that harmony and grod will will prevail thioughout all our deliberations. (2) In accepting this position a year ago I did so with, perhaps, some misBivings. as at that time the financial affairs of the Society were not so favorable as those most interested in its welfare desired. But I am pleased to s«y my misgiving's (if any existed) have been removed, and that the financial condition of the Society in all its branches is such that, I tius', will meet with general approval. The year has been full of encourage- ment, and the financiil position of the Society very much improved. (3^/ Yo'ir Executive, aftar due consideration in the matter of organiza- tion, decided that they would use all the means at their disposal in strengthening the weaker lodges, and as an incentive to the members to ueco ne indiv dual organizers, decided to give a series of prizes for the lodges and members bringing in the most candidates. I am pleased to stite that in some districts a systematic canvuss was made of all the eligible candi- date«, and, as a result, a very large increase of membership in those districts It is also gratifying to state, in this connection, that Ijodge Loyalty at Auroi'a doubled its membership in one year, winning the first prize, also obtaining for one of its members the pri/e for brtnging in the largest number of members during the three quarters, OFFICIAL VISITS. (4) I b:g to report that, as far as I have been able, I h . a visited the Iodises in different sections of the Province, and regret that the time at my disposal wns so limited that I had to give up many enq;agements. I have, hovyever, been in constant touch with the district officers, and I am pleased with the retdiness which on all occasions they were prepared to serve the Order, and to a very large extent fill the place which, under more favorable circumstances, I should have done personally. \/ SUPREME GRAND LODGE. DOMINION INCORPORATION. '). The expressed opinion of the Supreme Body at its last annual session in ''egard to the procurinc of a Dominion Charter being so pronoun- ced, r took the earlieit opportunity to impress upon the Executive the drt- sirability of taking prompt action in this direction. After due consider- ation of the mat'-.er. the Executive decided to take steps to procure the pame Without losing any time, in company with the Supreme Serretary I visited Ottawa. The House was then i ) sesbion, and though the time fo making application for Private Bills had expired, through the courtesy of ttio Priv ite Bills committee, we were allowsd the privilege, which was dorm at oncH, advertisements were immediately sent to the Gaz-'tt" and otiier I r jvincial papers. Petitions were sent to all the members of Parlia- ment. No time was lost in getting everything into shape. I visited OMa- WA acoo apanied by the Supreme Secretary and the Solicitor several times, and einhraced every opportunity to further the passage of the Bill through the House, Mr. Berrram, tfie member for Centre Toronto, introduced tlie Bill. ,ind from the time the Bill was read the first lime, its severe hai.dling hy the Committee on Banking and Commerce till its third readinu i o f ffort was spued to secure its passage through Parliament. As far as the Hou-H of Commons was concerned, after a very hard struggle we succeed- ed in carrying tae Bill through. It was then aent onto theSenate and. much to our surprise the Bill was thrown out, so that our efforts were, to a certain extent, unsuccessful. The chief.and Imaysay the only causeof its re- j •'Ction was the feeling that our rates v^ere not high enough, that if ww wer^ prepired to increase our rates according to a scale prepared by the Inspe •-- tor of Insurance, then they were willing to pass the Bill. This we ft It we could not do without the sanction of this Supreme Body. ' • The cost of this action, while considerable,! do not think will be con- sidered extravagant. (B) I desire to express ray appreciation of the valuable aid and assist- ance wh'ch I received from Bro. Fred Cook and other members of tiie Otta- wa Di'^trict. I also ask this Supreme Body to place on record its thanks for the hearty and generous v'jupport given by all members of the House of Commons wHo stood by us during that eventful time. (7) I understand the: a large section of our members are of the opitiion thftt we should renew our application and make another effort to- o^itain a ch irter. Without in any way wishing to discourage this idea. I am of the opinion that in view of the fact that the Government has signi- tiel its intenrion to introluco legislation during the coming session affect ing Friendly Societies, I would recommend that any further action be de- ferred until after the next meeting of Parliament. v 4 I SUPREME GRAND PRESIDENT S REPORT. QUEBEC REGISTRATION. (8) Thfc rejec' ion of our app'ication for a Dominion Charter necessita- ted immediate action to be taken to obtain from the Quebpc Government a certificate of rrigistration to enable us to carry O". our buainesa in thtt Pro- /• viDce. Th« time left for us to make application was only a few dnys. I requested P S.G.P. Bio. Cumberland to proceed at once t^ Quebec and use all possible haste in the mater. Bro. Cumberland very kindly con -sented to so. and I am pleased to report that he w- SUPREME GRAND LOHOE. r I V I notice that there was a sufficient balance on hand on the Blst of January to more than cover that amount. As indicated in ray address when accepting the positiou. I have endeavored to carry out the policy of economy, and have succeeded so far in leaving a balance for the benefit of my successor II this Office. BENEFICIARY. (12) For the progress made in this Department I must agi-in refer you to ihe Supreme Secretary's report which is replete in statisical information, and shewing in a concise form the standing of the Department. The funds lare increasing slowly it is true, but satisfactorily, and with the adoptioii of the proposed changes suggested on the lines of the committee repoi't of ast year ia the se.ssional paper will be beyond peradventure. JUVENILE DEPARTMENT (13) The Juvenile Department I fear does not receive that attention which it deserves. I am pleased to note the increase in the nuinericKl strength in this branch of our Society work, and the funds to the credit of the Juvenile branch is encouraging. It must be gratifying tj know that there has only been one death in the Juvenile Deparcment during the year. I ask the adult members of our lodges tj give more attention to the Juveniles, it will repay you for all your efforts. NAVAL BRIGADE. (14) I have received a paper signed by Jas.Poffery, chairman ; S. Wicks, paymaster and Geo. Sturdy, secretary, purpDrting to be a report of the N ival Brigade ; but as no balance she°it or auditor's report wa.^ presented with the paper, I cannot make any satisfactory report coucerning thit bo dy EXECUTIVE MEETING. (15) During the year twelve meetings have been held, and it affords me great pleasure to say that the utmost unanimity of feeling and action has existed at the meetings, I desire also to place on record my aratitude, and appreciation of the able assistance at all times rendered, me by my colleagues in conducting the business of the Order generally. In addition to the above meetings I have visited the head office from time to time as opportunity cffered and occasion demanded. SUPREME SECRETARY'S OFFICE. (16) I desini to placeon rdcord my aoprecia'.iori of the very valuible services rendered bv the Supreme Secretary during my incumbency of office ; his desire and v/iliinjjness at all times to further my instructions and push forward the work of the Order has been a source of very great gatibfactiou to me, and I am sure has resulted in general (^ood to the Order # :«■•' SUPREME GRAND PRESIDENT S REPORT. IS Ji at large. His staff. 1 find, are competent and obliging, and by strict a'teu- tion to their duties have given me entire satisfaction. OFFICIAL DECISIONS. (17) I respectfully submit for your approval the foUowinK dpcisiouN givt-n during the year. Many of them are worthy of consideration and. I trust, will itceive the same at your hands. In view of poiisible change's which may take place in regard to our present location of ihe Head Office, I would sugijest that your incoming Exejutivd be empowered to make arrangements for other suitable offices, provided, in their opinion, it should become necessary. All of which is respectfully submitted. E. PARNELL, Jr. S. G. P. OFFICIAL DECISIONS, 1898. (1) LoDGK Shakehpeake. — Would a member initiated at the age of 45 be charged 15c per week or 13c. Answer — The member must pay 15o a week. (2) LoDQE Enfield. -Is a member entitled to sick benefits who does not comply frith section 376, page 10^, of the constitution ? Answer— No ; the constitution must be carried out. A member on the sick list should not be out of doors after six o'clock during t.ie winter months, (8) Lodge Commercial.— Does a commercial traveller come under the class of hazardous risk '? "Answer- No ; he is not liable for the increased assessments. (4) Lodge Tennysos —Can a White Rose Degree member in good standing in the Bed Rose Degree be admitted into the White Rose Degree meeting while he is suspended in that Degree ? Answer - Yes, unless there is s.ime charge against him. 16) Lodge Thames. -Can the lodge admit a candidate who is over 50 years of age ? Answer - No, not ts a noancial member, but he may be admitted as an honorary me Tiber. (6) Lodge Cheltenham. —Is a member suffering from insanity entitled to s'ck benefits? Answer— Yes ; he may also continue in membership, snltj-^ct, of course, to the constitution. (7) Lodge Prince Albert— Is a member entitled to sick benefits who doeti not comply with the latter part of Section 375 of the constitution ? Answer- No. (8) Lodge Derby. — Is it necessary to pay registration fee for second marriage ? Answer— No. I SUPKKMK (.KANP I.OIK.E. ,l! (!)) Nkvv(!A.sti-k. "Can any part of the General 1 und be transferred to tlio ContitiKont Fund V Answer- No. (10) LoiKiio Cantkuiujuy.— Can members be admitted during businet^s hours? AntLwei — Yes, members can be admitted at any time except ballot- hi};, initiating, opening and closing lodge. (1 1) Loixno EfSSKX.— What amount should be paid to a member falling sick oil Saturd.ay and resuming work a week from the following Mot. day ? Answer— The member is entitled to one week's sick pay, namely, $;}. (12) LoDdR Lydi'oiu) —Who should receive the sick benefits of a mem- bur in the asylum V Answer— The Exfcutive are of opinion that those who Hre maintaining the brother should receive his ben* firs. His lodge pay- ments, of course, would have to be deducted from the benetits payable. (13) Lodge Manchester —Can the loc'ge ballot for a member before he produces the doctor's certificate ? Answer— No. (14) D.D. Halifax.— Is a District Deputy supposed to wear his badge of oiHco at all meetings? Answer— Yes. Is he entitled to the honors of tha^ office when entering the lodge room wearing his badge of ofifice, or only when snaking an official visit ? Answer —Only when making an official visit. Is ho, while holding that ot'tice, entitle! to the same privileges as other members of his own lodge, by balloting, voting and speaking on all business matters presented in the Haid lodge ? Answer— Yes. ■.,.,.;!. (15) L()i)(!B Hose or CouuiiiciiiNd. — Can a su-^pended member of a defunct lodge be admitted without paying the 1(5 weeks' dues'? Answer- No ; the 16 weeks' dues must be collected and credited to the defun t lodge account. , (l(i) Lodge Cuovdon.— Would a member losing three fint'ers in a planir.g mill be entitled to sick benetits, also a member cuttinir his leg with an axe, or a member hurting his back while at work lifting ? Answer— Yt's, lertninlj-. (17) D. D. Hamilton.— Is the following candidate eligible for mem- bership : Father, Scotch, born in Scotland ; mother born of English parents in Canada ; applicant born in Canada? Answer -Yes. (18' Kalii AX LoixiE —Can a District Deputy vote and debate questions of his subordinate loHgp when visiting the said lodge as a Grand Lof'ge officer, but declin^nu; to occupy the Pre?i''ent's chair ? Answer— It is quite option- al as to whether the Di-trict Depury takes the chair or not, and is not in any way debarred from taking part in any discussion which may take place in the loHge meeting. (ID) LoPGE '^iiAFTESHUUY.— In formint Grand lodges does it require a 2-3 vote of the lodges or of the members ? Answer —It re(^uires both a 2-^ vpjte SUPREME GRANP PRESIPENT S REPORT, i to letfs lot- inR of the lodRes, and a 2-3 vote of th« raeraberH— that is, a 2 8 vote in the lodKS must be in favor of it, and then 2-;i of the lodges must petition for it. (20) Lodge Halifax. — Is a man born in England, no matter of v.'bat pnrfntage, eligible to become a member of this Order, also how far back does the descendant's ancfstors extend to entitle him to become a member of this Order ? Answer — Yes ; as far as he can trace. (a) Can the Supreme Grand Lodjje over-rule the constitution without resolution of the above gr,»nd body when in session V Answer— No. (b) Should a subordinate lodge be consulted as to their choice of an eligible member for appointment to a special Office V Answer- Not neces- sarily, but generally done. (c) Is it compulsive for a sick member to wait for his pay until it lias been voted by the Lodge V Answer— All moneys must bo voted upon by the Lodge. (d) Should an ofHcer or a member refuse to pay a fine, how can it be col- lected ? Answer -The Hue becomes a due and must be paid or the menil)t'r stand suspended, (21) LoD(}E Britain. -Can the President sign money orders when you cannot get a meeting V Answer— Yes; all legal orders, but the .'^ame must be reported at the first meeting that can be obtained. (22) LoD(jE Primrose.— A member joining the lodge by clearanc<' and failing sick six months after, is he entitled to W.R, Degree bonelits ? Answer He has no claim on the W. R. Degree funds. (23) Loi>GE Mitchell,- Can a candidate join the lodge without lieing examined by the lodge surgeon V Answer — No ; except as an hon'rary member (21) Lodge Salishuuy.— Are the children of a widow or widower, born before second marriage, entitled to participate in the funeral beneiit fund? Answer— No ; children to be entitled to funeral benefits must be he offspring of present marriage, Is it optional for a member living outside the jurisdiction of the lodge to pay for lodge surgeon ? Answer— Yes, he can have it deducted from his dues if he chooses. (25) Lodge Victory. — Re sick member. Answer— If a member joins the Order in Oct,. 1897, and falls sick in Sepr.,' 1898, eleven months after joining, he is then entitled to receive Si. 50 per week ; if his sickness con- tinues ovpr the 12 months, he is still entitled »o the SI. 50. (2G) Lodge St. Ives. —Are the social and honorary mMubers entitled to receive free medical attendance the same as ordinary members V Answer-No. l27) Lodge Rose OF England - If the Doctor is a tinancial member and runs bad on the books, is ha eligible to ran for Lodge Physician V Answer - Yes, he is eligible. (28) Lodge Old England -Can Auditors act as Trustees V Answer — 8 SUPREME GRAND LODGE. it 1*8 not advisable, as Trustees are looked upon as financiitl cfUcers and are called upon to produce papers and accounts to the Auditors. (29) LoiMJK Dartmouth— Is an applicant suffering from the loss of one eye or one hand eiegible for member-hip in the S O.K. V Answer— It is sup' posed that all candidates should be physically sound, which he would not be if he had lost one eye, or one hand, or one foot. It depends on the Medical Examiner. (80) P, P. LouGB Alexandria.— (a) Are Past Officers compelled to wear jewels V Answer- The constituticn does not require all Past Officers to wear pa.st rank regalia, or past rank jewels. It is not compulsory. (b) Is it considered a part of the working expenses to pay for jewels out of the funds? Answer- It is not a part of the working expenses and the jewels cannot be paid for out of the General Funds. (c) What provision is made for obtaining them ? Answer -Any jewels that are ordered for past Presidents must be paid for out of the Contingent Fund or by private subscriptions. (31) OxFOiiD. - Can a lodge hold a policy on behalf of a member m the Beneficiary who is unable to keep up hi-i payments ? Answer -No. (;V2) Thames - A member left his son ae a nominee and afterwards marries and does not (hange his nominee, who is entitled to the funeral benefits V Answer — The original nominee. (33) Victoria, B. C- Can a lodge elect a past Pre.sident ? Answer - No ; the Junior Past President must fill the position. (34) Mitchell —Can a^ lodge appoint a person as Doctor who has not passed his final examination ? Answer- No, (35) LodgeRose ot'JoucHiCHiNa,alsoWilberforceL-)dge.-Can amem- ber be charged $2 to rejoin the White Rose? Answer -No, once a meinb r of the W. R. Degree, always a member of that Degree. (3'i> LoDOB Middlesex- Where two surgeons are required for one Indge and there are more than two candinates, does it require a majority of voc»s cast, or do the two highest nv. .oers elect? Ans«ver— The two highest nuntibers elect. (37) Lodge Salisbury -Is it optional for a member living outside the juTisdiction of the Lodge surgeon to pay the doctor's fee ? Answer— Yes, he can have it deducted if he chooses, (88) Lodge Poktsmouth -Is the record levy a legal lev^r ? Answer --Yes, the levy for the Record is as much a canstitutional levy as tbe cap. tax, or funerrtl levy, and the lodge is Hfffcted in the same manner us it would be if the funeral levy was not paid. That is suspended from benefit;;. (39i Lodge Londesboro.— Does the Lodge pay mileage for doctor? Answer No, the extra allowance is paid bj' the members. Can n 'Viember have a free doctor when he is not drawleg sick benefits? Answer - Yej, as soon as a member joins the Society he is en'it'ed to a free doctor. (40) Lodge Tennyson. — What is required of a member to act as First Quide ? Answer— He should be a member of the White Rose Degree. 's and are OSS of one -It is sup" /ould not I on the apelled to 8t Officers ory. 'or jewels nses and ny jewels ootingent ber rn tho o. fter wards e funeral Answer - has not m amem- a meinb r one loilge y of vor,»s highest utside the iver— Yes, Answer s tbe cap. tier us it n benefits. r doctor ? : benefifs? to a free !t as First 5ree.