Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

THE NEW ZEALAND EECOGNITION QUESTION .

To the FBEEMASOH ' S CHRONICLE . SIR , —The thanks of every member of the Craft in this colony aro due to you for the excellent article contained in your issue of the 17 th November , on the question of the non-recognition by tho Grand Lodge of England of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand . You say rightly that sooner or later this recognition must come , and every true Brother in the colony must agree with

you that the sooner it is accorded the better for the interests of Freemasonry , not only in New Zealand , but throughout tho English-speaking Masonic world . There is scarcely a Lodge under any Constitution in the colony which does not earnestly desire to see fraternal relations re-established with the Lodges holding under the Grand Lodge of Now Zealand . Many of the Eng lish Lodges have formally expressed this wish by resolution ; fche District Grand Lodge ( E . C . ) of Wellington has pronounced in the same direction ;

the District Grand Lodge of Canterbury ( E . C . ) is in favour of it ; and the District Grand Lodge of Canterbury ( S . C . ) has sent round resolutions to a similar effect . The District Grand Masters of Canterbury and Wellington ( E . G . ) , certainly the most respected representatives of the English Grand Lodgo in New Zealand , are anxious to see recognition accorded . In fact , the opposition to such recognition exists only amongst a small number of officeholders , who think their personal dignity would suffer if tho Grand Lodge of New Zealand were recognised .

It may not be out of place if I point out that the Grand Lodge of England has never refused recognition . When , four and a half years ago , the newly-formed body applied for fraternal acknowledgment , the resolution passed by the Grand Lodge of England was to the effect that it was not " at present " desirable to grant recognition . I am far from blaming the Grand Lodge of England for proceeding cautiously in so grave a matter . I am

aware that the facts in connection with the formation of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand had been most strangely misrepresented to the Grand Lodge authorities of England by interested parties . It was right and proper that the Grand Lodge should take time to ascertain the truth , and to test the extent and solidity of the movement in the colony for Masonic selfgovernment . The Grand Lodge of New Zealand has courted enquiry , and its doings

for tho four years and nine months it has existed have been and are open to the world . It has done nothing of which to be ashamed , and much of which it has just reason to be proud . Its every act will stand the closest impartial , honest , scrutiny . If there has been discord or ill feeling neither has been of its initiation . The advice which I was privileged to give from the very first was to treat our opponents as those who would some day be our friends , and

to neither say nor do aught which would rankle in their minds . This advice has been generally acted upon , and strict examination will show how untruthful are many of the stories which have apparently reached the Grand Lodge of England to our detriment . English Masons of high rank have visited the colony and attended our Lodges , and even the Communications of

the Grand Lodge ; and the Grand Lodge of England should have no difficulty in making itself acquainted with the truth regarding our position and conduct . Knowing the truth , it should recognise that the time to reconsider its tentative decision has now at least arrived , and avail itself of the opportunity of reconsideration afforded by the terms of its own resolution .

The conditions which induced the Grand Lodge of England to withhold recognition " at present" in 1890 no longer apply in 1895 . Let me state facts showing the difference . The Grand Lodge of New Zealand was formed in accordance with resolutions passed by ninety-two Lodges . The declaration of Independence was in the first instance signed by representatives of sixtyfour Lodges ancj . subsequently by many others , and the Grand Lodge

constituted accordingly . But many of these Lodges hung back for a time , and some have not oven yet carried out the transfer of their allegiance . In 1890 , when the application was made for recognition , it was open to doubt what the number of Lodges which had changed their allegiance and thrown in their lot with the Grand Lodge of New Zealand actually was , and what proportion they bore to the number of Lodges holding aloof . There is now

no longer any doubt as to the strength of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand . It numbers 101 Lodges on its roll , and its registers show 3 , 710 Brethren . These figures represent upwards of two-thirds of the live Lodges in the colony , and I believe more than three-fourths of the subscribing Brethren in New Zealand . Nor is this all . In almost all tho Lodges which still adhere to the parent Constitutions there is a strong minority in favour of joining the national Constitution . In many Lodges there is actually a strong majority in

favour of such a course , although the change is deferred out of consideration for the wishes of the minority . In the latest Lodge to transfer its allegiance—the Lodge which now ranks No . 190 on the Now Zealand roll , No . 101 being a new Lodge—the change was for a long time opposed by only one member , an old and respected Past Master of the Lodge . I know personall y of other Lodges similarly situated . The counsel we give to our friends under such circumstances is to wait , and endeavour to come over with absolute unanimity .

You are quite right in assuming that if once recognition were granted a very large proportion of the Lodges which are now standing out would como over to the Grand Lodge of New Zealand . They are fully sensible of the advantages of self-government , and of the good work which the Grand Lodge of New Zealand has been able to accomplish .

The Grand Lodge of New Zealand is increasing in strength every month It has instilled new life into Freemasonry in New Zealand , and it has in four years and a half dispensed its charity with no niggardly hand , and has built up a Benevolent Fund , and a Widow and Orphans Fund of substantial proportions—far in excess of anything accomplished bv the Craft in the nearl

y fifty years Masonry was practised in this colony under foreign government . That it is not actuated by any narrow feeling in its charity you will see from the return I enclose , showing that of £ 364 17 s 6 d expended •n benevolence £ 339 17 s 6 d was to members of other Constitutions , £ 112 9 s going to English Brethren or Lodges .

While we deeply regret that any division should exist to mar complete harmony , and fraternal intercouse between Lodges and Brethren , I may point out that the consequences of estrangement fall most heavily on the

Correspondence.

minority , although the New Zealand Lodges heartily welcome as visitors Masons of all Constitutions . In most portions of the colony official prohibitions by other Constitutions are very generally disregarded . The non-recognition by our parent Grand Lodges causes little or no practical

inconvenience . It is more a sentimental grievance than a practical one . Ik could only arise practically in case of New Zealand Brethren visiting the Mother country ; and those who have done so have found in English Lodgea a more Masonic feeling than has yet been shown by the Grand Lodge of England , and have had no reason to complain of lack of welcome .

The Grand Lodge of New Zealand has been recognised by and is in fraternal communication with thirty-seven Supreme Masonio governing bodies in different parts of the world . In this number are included the four Australian Grand Lodges , in which the representatives of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand sit side by side with representatives of the Grand Lodge of

England . Some of these Grand Lodges which recognise us have as their Patron H . R . H . the Grand Master of England . Are there not here anomalies which should for Masonic credit be rectified by the removal of the ban placed by the Grand Lodge of England on the Grand Lodge of New Zealand ?

Let me also point out what may yet prove a source of Masonio trouble , if that ban is maintained . We have had cases of Brethren coming from Australia to reside for a time in New Zealand who have only taken one or two degrees . A New Zealand Lodge has , at the request of the initiating Australian Lodge , conferred the other degrees . How would the Grand Lodge of England deal with such a case should a Brother so circumstanced go home ?

If any demur were made as to his status it would be an insult to the recognised Constitution under which he was initiated ; while if the degrees conferred in New Zealand were recognised , where would be the consistency of refusing recognition to the Grand Lodge by whose authority they were conferred ? Serious questions affecting other Grand Lodges may arise if recognition of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand is much longer delayed .

In conclusion , let me say that the Grand Lodge of New Zealand is not , and never has been , an aggressive body . It has no desire to force any Lodge to join it . Its ranks are open to any Lodges which desire to join it , bufc their doing so much be of their own freewill , and the result of conviction that the change will bo of benefit to themselves and the Craft . In asking recognition we do not ask for jurisdiction over any established Lodge which does not desire to come under local control . We are content that those who still wish

to remain under English jurisdiction shall remain so without let or hindrance . We are quite sure the number would soon be reduced to a vanishing point . We can pursue the even tenor of our way very well without recognition until time and circumstances shall bring it about . We know it must come , as month after mouth we go on adding Lodges to our roll—in fact , that each accession brings it nearer . But surely it is not worth the while of a body like

the Grand Lodge of England to prolong the agony and unreasonably delay restoring complete harmony among tho Craft in New Zealand . It is not for the interest of Freemasonry that even the present slight estrangement should continue to exist for even a day longer than may be necessary to remove the cause . The Grand Lodge of New Zealand is an accomplished fact—a substantial reality . It cannot long be ignorned by any Masonio body .

We all reverence and respect our Mother Grand Lodges , and it was in no spirit of unkindness or disloyalty that we asserted our right to Masonic autonomy , but from an assured conviction that until Masonio selfgovernment was established Freemasonry would never thrive as it ought to do in New Zealand , or be enabled to fulfil its noblest and highest functions . The result of four years and nine months' experience has more than justified our actions and realised our expectations .

Although we may not again approach the Grand Lodge of England as suppliants , we should indeed rejoice if that body , in its wisdom and justice , would see that the time is opportune for it to reconsider the application which is still pending before it , having not been absolutely refused , but merely postponed , when it was formerly before the Grand Lodge .

Apologising for the length of this letter , but trusting you will find room for it , and bring it prominently under the notice of the Colonial Board and the authorities of tho Grand Lodge , whom I am preluded from addressing personally .

Believe mo , fraternally yours , E . T . GILLON P . G . M . President Board of General Purposes , Grand Lodge of New Zealand . Wellington , N . Z ., 10 th January 1895 .

Advice From A Disgusted Freemason.

ADVICE FROM A DISGUSTED FREEMASON .

To the Editor of the " Sunday Times . " MADAM , —Ladies have nothing to gain by becoming Freemasons , except the knowledge of a few arbitrary words and signs which are considered the secrets of the Craft . They are simply words and signs , and nothing more , by which the Craft recognises one another . The mysteries of Freemasony have been irretrievably lost , and an attempt has been made in modern time to

apply the emblems of Freemasonry fco morals , charity , and good-fellowship , with the effect that the former has followed the mysteries into obscurity , charity has become a job , and good-fellowship is reserved for the prosperous . When I was in a flourishing condition everything was delightful , goodfellowship was overwhelming , suppers and banquets were of the best . The most marvellous stories were told—how lives had been saved on the

battlefield , tho once rich had been saved from ruin , and poor Brothers had been helped to affluence . Now the scene changes . Reverses , over which I had no control , broke me entirely . Where were now all the boasted benefits to be derived from Masonry ? Gone . Not a friend remained . Could I not get help from my Lodge ? No , they ignored me . I then applied to head-quarters , I had no claim , because I was unattached to a Lodge , and the reception I

met was what ono might expect from Poor Law authorities . If I am not still a Freemason , I am at least a free man , and released from all responsibilities to the Craft . I shall therefore be able to give lady correspondents any information they require , but gentlemen must obtain it by the usual methods , As to the merits of the question , whether ladies could become Freemasons , I

know of no reasons why they should not , excepting a few details of imtiation , which might be modified . But it certainly would be best for ladies to form separate Lodges , once a sufficient number had been initiated to supply the Officers , still , I think they would not find the game worth the candle . Why not join the Ancient Order of Buffaloes ? A SUNDAY READIES .