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of cases the same difficulty arises there as is just now exercising the minds of our colonial brethren

Children as they grow older are apt to desire greater independence than they have been accustomed to as children , but parents do not always seem inclined to

permit it . What is the result ? Sometimes discontent , sometimes disobedience , and in neither case do the heads of the family reap any

advantage , or do any good . Were they to look back they would probably find they had

just the same difficulty in their own case , and their past experience should have taught them it is best to

co-operate with the juniors in the natural evolution oJ independence , than put obstacles in the way of an event which is as certain to occur as anything in

connection with human affairs . The ease may not be exactly similar in regard to England and New Zealand , for the reason that English independence in Masonry may be described

as natural growth—at the time it occurred there was no one to offer opposition or raise objection—whereas in the case of New Zealand there is parental

authority to uphold , and younger or older members of the family to be considered : but can any one who is

thoroughly unbiassed on the subject urge that there are not a sufficient number of New Zealand Masonic members— --children of the great family of English

freemasons—desirous of setting up a home for themselves , and fully capable of managing their own affairs and launching into business on their own

behall , without the meddling interference of thenparents , or at least the feeling that they cannot act for themselves and attend to their own affairs without

tho possibility of a lecture or direct contradiction from those at home ? Parents have tried coercion in private families .

only to drive their children from home ; and coercion has been tried in Freemasonry with just the same result : the children act for themselves despite the

dictum and the orders of their parents , and we have family splits and unrecognised independence as a

result . Is the spectacle edifying or dignified in either case ? Certainly not , and outsiders , who view the

matter from an impartial standpoint , and devoid of that form of " authority " which parents so often like

to retain , without m any way desiring to exercise it , are unanimous in their opinion that a compromise is desirable ; or they boldly say that the parents should give way , in view of the spirit of independence which is the natural result of mature growth .

' We believe the general idea among the New Zealand seceders is found in the words expressed by a prominent speaker at a recent meeting in the colony :

" he did not hope for immediate recognition by the Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland , but it would inevitably come , and it would perhaps be oi tne

more appreciated m consequence delay . ui course recognition must come , and the longer it is delayed the more absurd it appears to those who

recognise the matter in that light . We do not approve of the violation of laws in connection with such questions , but we are of opinion that laws which

allow such inconsistencies must be bad , and the sooner they are altered the better . The present course of events supplies an exemplification of a policy which

in view of current doings seems wholly at variance with the principles of Freemasonry . England cannot

maintain supreme authority in rsew Zealand , and is quite prepared to concede absolute independence to

the local brethren if they can do just a trifle more than they are at present doing , and yet turns a deaf ear if anything is suggested in the way of a compromise .

We cannot think it possible for both sides of the question to be properly heard at so great a distance as separates England from New Zealand . The letters from the colony must of necessity be robbed of that local colouring which might give a wholly

Family Jars.

different aspect to the affair , and it may be that one side is able to make out a better case than the

othernot because of special merit , but rather on account of their ability to put ideas into writing with better

effect than their fellows . It is , perhaps , too much to expect a delegate to go out to the colony from this

side , but it ought not to be very difficult for the advocates of independence in the colony to send a

deputation well versed in the whole question , and sufficiently authorised to pledge the seceders to any line of conduct likely to heal the breach , without the

sacrifice of all sense of dignity , or loss of position already acquired . If there is anything in the principles of Freemasonry -which should

commend it to the respect of the outside world there should be some better way of settling a minor difference such as this—and we maintain it is

merely a minor difference—than the clumsy system of •* strike " and " lock-out " which is practised by the masses , and brings down upon them the disgust

ot Halt the civilised world who are not directly interested in the controversy which calls it into force . But if all the fraternal spirit of Freemasonry we much

near so about cannot produce any better results than is shown in connection with this difficulty between England and New Zealand we must certainly alter our opinion of modern strikers , and recognise they may have an excuse for their intimidation , riot and disorder .

United Grand Lodge.

UNITED GRAND LODGE .

THE September Quarterly Communication of United Graud Lodgo was held on Wednesday , at Freemasons ' -Hall , London , tho Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , Deputy Grand Master , presiding . On the motion of his lordship , seconded by Bro . Powell , Provincial

Grand Master for Bristol , it was resolved that an address of congratulation be presented by the Grand Lodge to the Most Worship ful tho Grand Master , the Prince of Wales , on the occasion of the marriage of his Royal

Highness the Duke of York with H . S . H . tho Princess Victoria Mary of Teck , offering tbe most hearty good wishes of the fraternity on the happy event . On the motion of the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe seconded by Bro . Powell , it was

resolved to give 300 guineas from the Fund of General Purposes for the relief of brethren in the District of Queensland who havo suffered from tho recent disastrous flood . The motion staudiuij in the nnme of Bro . Lamonby was ruled

ont of order by the Grand Master in the chair , and its consideration was therefore prevented . Tho most noticeable feature iu the Grand Lodge was the presence of Bro .

C . T . 0 . King as a visitor . He is a natire West African the Grand Master of Liberia , aud , as a Grand Master , occupied the chair of Past Grand Master on the immediate left of the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe .

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Devon.

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF DEVON .

a ^ HB annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Devon , held at Plymouth , on the 5 th inst ., was attended by nearly 500 brethren . At the Committee of Petitions 45 members wero present , and the following report was adopted : — The Committee began with a balance of 561 votes in

their favour in Juue 1892 . They bad received from all sources 4 , 330 votes , an increase over the last year of 783 , but the real increase was very much les ? , from the fact that the friends of a brother , ft candidate , polled a large •¦ umber , whilst the outside aid from other Provinces for a widow numbered 300 votes . To secure the election of

three candidates the Committee had also to borrow 4 , 477 votes , and those they would have to repay . That meant a year ' s income , and the greater neces > ity for the Lodges to be loyal in sending in their vofcs , and for the representatives ,

whom the Lodgo' -lecti ' d , to keep their brethren duly informed of the great advantages gnined by combination , so that the debt of honour might be paid . The Committee regretted that some Lodges still neglected sending their