Control Of The Press.

CONTROL OF THE PRESS .

THE following interesting article , from the " New Zealand Craftsman , " explains itself , and deals with a subject which may truly be described as cosmopolitan . We are glad our contemporary is able to so judiciously defend itself , and congratulate it on the official support it receives from its governing body ; our Grand Lodge is far too old fashioned

to for one moment think of . anything in the way of recognising the Press , although we have heard it rumoured that on occasions it has been almost conceded that the Press had been the means of advancing the welfare of the Craft , even in old England . Our contemporary says :

From the report of the proceedings of the annual communication of Grand Lodge , recently to hand , the following reference was made to the " New Zealand Craftsman : " Bros . Griffiths and Feldwick called attention to the

publication of the proceedings of Grand Lodge in the Christchurch papers , and " Bro . Cameron said that some matters had appeared in the organ of the Craft that should not have

been published without the Grand Master's , consent . He also complained that the ' Craftsman' had belittled distinguished Brethren . The Grand Master said it would have been well if some matters of that kind had been submitted

to him for approval before their publication . He did not , however , see how he could control the ' Craftsman . ' Br > Hardy said he supposed it was known that the ' Craftsman

was subsidised bv Grand Lodge , and was usually understood to be the Masonic organ of New Zealand . The matter published in it should receive the approval of the Grand Master or of Grand Lodge . The subject was then dropped . "

We have not the pleasure of knowing Bro . Cameron , and have not met him in Grand Lodge , but we do remember receiving a pamphlet purporting to be a " History of the Transfer of Allegiance of Otago Lodge , No . 7 , " sent by a Bro . Cameron , and in a discussion that took place in Grand

Lodge in Nelson the President of the Board of General Purposes emphatically stated that the pamphlet was an injudicious one to issue , and its publication , had not been authorised by the Board or Grand Lodge . In the face of this , it is a little bold for the ostensible publisher or circulator

of this pamphlet to complain that certain articles . in the " Craftsman "—in his opinion—should have had the Grand Master ' s consent—Satan reproving sin , as it were , only in our case there has been no sin of this kind . His second charge is that we have " belittled distinguished Brethren , " whatever

that must mean . Even in this critical world any individual whose life is an example of pure and unselfish motives , and who acts with integrity and uprightness , no untruths , envy , malice , or vindictiveness of individuals or the press , can

belittle ; his life and conduct will rise superior to- such opposition like the " bleak mountain which bares its breast with dignified composure to every tempest , and fearlessly presents its bosom to the midnight storm . "

The policy of this journal , " to do right and fear not , " was laid down . by a distinguished Brother , who , since his death , has been recognised as one of the greatest journalists this colony has ever seen , and to that policy we have strenuously adhered , and the recent annual meeting of shareholders

confirmed it . If in our efforts for the cause that lacks assistance and the cause that needs resistance , we have been no respecter of persons , doubtless we have offended some , but we challenge any one to say that we have ever traduced any worthy Brethren , or written one word that was not

absolute truth . Indeed , so powerful was that truth some few years since , probably before Bro . Cameron became a ruler in the Craft , that some efforts were made by " distinguished Brethren " not only to " gag " this journal , but also to depose the Editor , and when the Directors refused to

assist in this " Brotherly" purpose they were in their turn told " to mind their eye ' by these " distinguished Brethren , " who were then dressed in a little brief authority . This little episode of Masonic fraternal feeling will long remain in our memory . But " Magna est Veritas et prasvalebit "—the truth has , and will , prevail .

We very much regret that Bro . Hardy made the statement that the " Craftsman " was subsidised by Grand Lodge . Coming from such an authority as the President of the last Board of General Purposes , it will of necessity have

considerable weight , that will require all our efforts to rebut . While we do not for a moment suppose that Bro . Hardy made the statement knowing it to be false , or from any desire to injure the journal or company , yet we do say he should have been

Control Of The Press.

more certain of his facts before venturing such gratuitous information . We now say most emphatically , in reply , that the New Zealand " Craftsman , " since its institution in 1895 , has never received one penny piece as subsidy from Grand Lodge . Grand Lodge has a full-page advertisement in the

journal , all its meetings are prominently advertised and noticed , and , in accordance with the new rule , the business paper is also advertised the month previous to each Communication . For this Grand Lodge pays £ 30 per annum ,

and for a lonp- time only £ 15 , until the Directors protested mqst loudly of the inequity of the amount . The same business arrangements exists all the world over , but we have not before heard it called a subsidy .

At the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Masonic Newspaper Company , held in 1897 , the special representative of Grand Lodge on the Board of Directors was

instructed to apply to the Board of General Purposes—then in Dunedin—for a subsidy , but , needless to say , it was most peremptorily refused , and the application has never been renewed . Thus it will be seen that the statement made was

entirely without warrant , and we hope that Bro . Hardy will take the earliest opportunity of removing the wrong impression he has created . As a matter of fact , the generosity is all on the other

side , as the Company , for some inscrutable reason , known only to a Brother long since departed from this sublunary sphere , presented £ 50 worth of the Company ' s stock to Grand Lodge , and provided for it being specifically represented on the Directorate .

One word as to the proposed censorship . We know that this species of despotism exists in Russia , and has been applied for military purposes in South Africa ; but it is the first occasion it has been suggested to apply it to

Freemasonry . The New Zealand " Craftsman " is the property of , and is controlled and issued by , a joint stock Company , and any complaints will always receive most courteous attention at

the hands of the Directors . They are not only honourable men , but are good Freemasons , and would never countenance wrong-doing in their servants . Neither would the despotism suggested by these two Brethren ever be tolerated either by the Directors or Shareholders of the Company .

It is said that there is compensation for everything in this world , and the compensation in the case of the New Zealand " Craftsman ' will be found in numerous tributes

received from Lodges and individuals in appreciation of its efforts to conserve their ri g hts , and maintain and uphold the principles and administration of Freemasonry in this colony pure and unsullied .

****************** While the ancient landmarks of our Institution are to be carefully preserved , and its fundamental principles guarded from innovation , it is equally true that we must meet the changing relations of life by new methods and new laws .

No human government or institution ever came from its makers calculated to meet the conditions of its future existence . Fundamental principles may and do remain , but to carry those into full effect will require new methods and new laws . —Winfield S . Choate , Maine .

A Rare Chance For Barmaids.

A RARE CHANCE FOR BARMAIDS .

THE Tokenhouse Wine Company , of 3 Tokenhouse Buildings , London , E . G ., have lately introduced to the public the Virgin Liqueur Bitters , which are prepared in accordance with an old

English -recipe dating back over a hundred years , and which has long been used and appreciated by a large circle of private consumers . A natural bitters , it is an excellent tonic , appetiser and stomachic , whilst being at the same time clean on the palate , and with no deleterious after effects . The Company has put up' for

competition amongst the barmaids of the establishments in the London and suburban districts where the Virgin Liqueur Bitters are obtainable , a handsome , hall-marked , gold bracelet , with padlock fastening . This is now on view at the well-known jewellers , Messrs . Thos . Burchett ' s , of 69 Cheapside . It is to become the

property next St . Valentine ' s Day , which is the fourteenth of February 1902 , of the barmaid—where more than one is kept , the head one—of the house where the greatest quantity of these bitters is sold between now and then . This bracelet is one that anyone might be proud to wear , and can be easily obtained with a little

trouble . It is probable , though not promised , that the second in the competition will not go without something tangible to show and be likewise proud of . It may be noted that the Tokenhouse Wine

Companv are the London agents for Maurice Bertrand et Cie ' s celebrated Epernay champagnes , so noted for their extra dryness and quality . Full particulars of the competition , & c , can be obtained from the Tokenhouse Wine Company , or their representative , Bro , J , R , Watts , 11 Imperial Road , Wood Green , N .