Politics And Freemasonry.

POLITICS AND FREEMASONRY .

IT is astonishing how much misapprehension exists , even in high places , as to the peculiar characteristics of Freemasonry , and how its principles can be erroneously mixed up with matters of a political or other outside

nature . Only within the last few days has this been brought prominently under notice , in the form of a cablegram published in the "Times , " from its correspondent in Melbourne , in regard to which very wide

differences of opinion * will probably arise in various quarters—but to our thinking one of the highest officials of the Craft has wholly mistaken his position in regard to

the Order of Freemasonry and , by attempting to introduce outside considerations into its working , has laid the seed of what may easily prove the commencement of a severe misunderstanding , if not an open rupture .

In order to place the matter fully before our readers we reproduce the message referred to , and which appeared in the "Times" of 7 th inst ., as follows : Sir Gerard Smith , Governor of Western Australia , has

publicly complained of having been slighted by the local Grand Lodge of Freemasons because he was not asked to be present at a recent dedication of a Masonic building . He says that his reasons for complaining are that he represents

the Queen , the titular head of the Order , and also that he himself is a senior member of Grand Lodge . He expresses the belief that the blunder was due to gross ignorance and carelessness , and that a strong effort is required to save English Freemasonry in the colony .

It is not our duty here to criticise the bad taste of the gallant Governor of Western Australia , in publicly complaining of the slight he says he has experienced , but we do protest against his even assuming a right to be

entertained by the Craft , either as representative of the Queen , the titular head of the Order ; or because he himself is a senior member of Grand Lodge ; and when he goes so far as to argue that—as a consequence—a

strong effort will be required to save English Freemasonry in the colony , we can only imagine there is some personal grievance on his side , which has for the moment taken

him outside the bounds of Freemasonry , and caused him to forget that as a Mason he must recognise a certain amount of equality , as well as perfect freedom of action on the part of his Brother Masons .

We can quite understand that in a colony like Western Australia a very pretty little storm might be brewed in the teacup of personal dignity on the part of the Governor , but the Freemasons should not allow

themselves to be mixed up in the turmoil , and , if necessary , they should take very strong action to show they possess an amount of self respect equal , or even superior to that of the Queen ' s official representative .

Freemasonry is a recognised organisation throughout England and its colonies , and so long as its meetings are not used for any illegal purposes we believe those in

Politics And Freemasonry.

authority over us neither desire or intend to interfere with its working . Why , then , should the Governor of Western Australia even imagine he has a right to attend any particular Masonic ceremony because he happens to be the

representative of the Queen—the titular head of the Order ? As a matter of courtesy we should have expected him to be invited , but there is no question of actual right on his side , and if he had previously preached such a doctrine we do not think the Brethren around

him were to blame if they left him severely alone , and gave him the opportunity of putting his theory to the test . As a Past Junior Grand Warden of England Sir Gerard Smith was again entitled to some recognition ,

but here also , out of courtesy , rather than by right , and we think he will have very few supporters among the leaders of the Craft if he attempts to force himself ,

by reason of his rank , into Masonic meetings where , for some , cause or other—be it good , bad , or indifferent —he does not seem to be particularly wanted .

We can but think there is some huge blunder somewhere , for we can hardly imagine the members of our Order going out of their course to' publicly insult one who' ^ Seserves courteous consideration at their hands ,

and we accordingly await further information before deciding the question one way or the other . If , however , the message as cabled from Australia is a fair criticism

on the case then we unhesitatingly say that Sir Gerard Smith has erred in imagining that his outside official position gives him any peculiar privileges within the Order .

Northumberland And Durham.

NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM .

rpiHERE is just now on exhibition , at the art rooms of JL Messrs . Mawson , Swan and Morgan , Newcastle-on-Tyne , a portrait in oils of Bro . R . B . Reed , which is to be presented to him by the Mark Masons of this Province , as a mark of their esteem for him personally , and in recognition

of his services as Deputy Prov . G . M . M . for a number of years . When it became known that Bro . Reed wished to retire from the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Mark Master , which he had occupied since the year 1888 , there was a spontaneous desire on the part of the Mark Masons of

the Province to show their regard for him in this way , and a Committee was formed to carry out the proposal , with the Rev . Canon Tristram as Chairman , Bro . Thomas Purvis ( who succeeds Bro . Reed as Deputy P . G . M . M . ) , Bro . J . Straker Wilson Treasurer , and Bro . John Heppell Secretary .

The Committee soon found itself in possession of a handsome fund , and the painting of the portrait was entrusted to Mr . C . Kay Robertson , from whose studio the portraits of many

well-known people in the North of England had already come . The work is a great success . The following inscription is to be placed upon the frame , on a gilt tablet :

Presented by the Mark Masons of the Province of Northumberland and Durham to BRO . RICHAKD BAGNALL REED Deputy Provincial Grand Master of that Province , 1888 to 1897 , as a mark of their respect and esteem .