Return For Grants To The Institutions.

RETURN FOR GRANTS TO THE INSTITUTIONS .

ON many occasions in the past we have called attention to the disparity which often exists between the " contributions of Provinces to the Central Institutions and the return they secure ; our country Brethren , by some better organisation or

manoeuvring than is practised by London , frequently being able to get more than they are entitled to , providing benefits are to be accorded in proportion to the contributions of the different districts : but it is not often our Provincial friends themselves so

publicly recognise this as was done at the recent meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire , when the report of the Committee of Petitions of that district recorded the fact that

" the Committee wished to remind the Lodges that , as a Province , they were receiving amounts from the great charities very much in excess of the subscriptions . "

It may naturally be asked , how is this excess of benefits secured ? and for answer we may use the one word—combination , a fact that should not only be gratifying to the

Devonshire Brethren who benefit by it , but also serve as a warning to London and other parts that do not combine , and have to pay for the better management of others .

Of course it may be argued that the benefits of the great central Institutions are intended for Masons generally , and are not awarded in proportion to the amount of money contributed by different districts , and probably that is the best way in

which to regard it , so long as the money flows in to keep the Institutions going ; but on the other hand it must be recognised that one district cannot get more than its share without others

suffering , and as the suffering in this direction means increased expenditure it is almost sure to lead to complaint and dissatisfaction among the class who-are penalised .

It is well that considerations as to the expense of securing and enjoying the advantages of the Institutions are based on a general average , else Brethren in some quarters would view with alarm the cost of the benefits conferred by the Institutions that

fall to the lot of their districts , which , through being less active in organisation , get less than their share of benefits , and consequently have to pay a heavier price for them than is the case

with those which secure a fair return , or , as is the admitted case in Devonshire , a return in excess of what they are really paying for .

It must not be supposed that in thus directing special attention to the inequality of returns as compared with contributions we are blaming either the section which suceessmll y manipulates its votes , or the section that quietly stands

by and allows matters to take their own course ; probably it does not concern the one or the other sufficient to justify our interference—but as we have the interests of the Institutions , and their continuity above all things , at heart , we consider

'he question deserving of further consideration , in view of the utterances of the Devonshire Committee . We commend them for their outspokenness , and for the skill with which they Manage thoir affairs , and in doing so we hold up an example

Return For Grants To The Institutions.

that should be followed by others . If all got a fair return none could grumble , but while things remain as they are it is not only possible to find fault , but it is generally recognised that there are grumblers in our midst whose opposition might

advantageously be done without . But so long as they have good reason for drawing attention to the anomaly that exists we can hardly feel aggrieved at them expressing disapproval with what is accomplished . To obviate the whole difficulty we repeat the

advice we have often given : Let London and the few other districts that do not at present combine take a lesson from Devonshire and other highly organised Provinces , and they will soon get a just return for the grants they may make to the Institutions .

Checking Extension.

CHECKING EXTENSION .

WE used to think the sentiment so often expressed m public , to the effect that the authorities had determined to improve the quality of Freemasonry by checking the multiplication of its Lodges , referred only to the metropolitan

area and perhaps one or two of the Provinces of England whose Grand Masters entertained peculiar ideas on the subject , but an extract we this week give from a Canadian

contemporary seems to provide evidence that the same feeling exists in the Dominion , where we venture to say it is equally inoperative , and probably does far more harm than good , as we believe it has done in this country .

It has often been said it is impossible to make people good by act of parliament , and we are equally sure it is not within the range of possibility to improve Freemasonry by refusing to grant Warrants for new Lodges , when the Brethren

who apply for them have nothing against their character , and are , to all appearance , sincere in their desire for a new Lodge . We quite approve of making most strenuous regulations , and enforcing the strictest rules as to the formation

and starting of a new Lodge , but we cannot believe it is in the interests of Freemasonry to go beyond this , for , as has been urged before , to refuse the petition of a number of

Brethren who are really in earnest , and to say they shall not enjoy the privilege of meeting as a Lodge , is more likely -co disgust them than teach them that the authorities are particularly mindful of the welfare of the Craft .

From the extract to which we have referred , and to which we have added the heading " Standing still , " we gather that the Freemasons of Toronto have had a prejudice for some years back against granting Warrants for new Lodges ,

preferring to force the Lodges to extend their membership rather than allow "what is set down as the Englishman ' s idea of " a little farm well tilled , and a little Lodge well filled . " Needless to say , we have no sympathy with such a course ,

being fully convinced that a " little Lodge well filled" is far better than one with a membership so extensive as to do away with the greater part of the feeling of Brotherhood that should associate the members of the same Lodge in one