United Grand Lodge And The Grand Lodge Of New Zealand.

Bro . PHILBRICK thought he himself was correct—there was one Grand Lodge in each of those Colonies . Bro . LAMONBY : Quite SO . Bro . PHILBRICK said if the brother had listened he would have seen he was making a correct statement - there was one Grand Lodge in each of those Colonies and one in New South Wales . When recognition took place

it was a comparatively easy matter . Grand Lodge of England had a District Grand Lodge for each , and when the jurisdiction of this new Grand Body which was proposed to be recognised by the resolution , he thought there were five several District Grand Lodges , each in itself complete , all under the Grand Master ; and there were separate organisations of Irish Masons : separate organisations of Scotland ; Masons in each of those parts

which formed a constituent whole of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand . It was obvious from the figures which had been read by the Grand Secretary there was a great preponderance of lodges in favour of a separate Grand Lodge . The precedent now followed was that of 1 S 59 , w ' regard to Canada , when the question arose and the same state of things existed . There was a proposal to recognise the Grand Lodge of Queb c , now the

extended jurisdiction went to the Grand Lodge of Canada . The motion proposed by the Pro G . Master , and seconded by the Earl of Onslow , was identical with that of 1859 , with regard to Canada . That answered the two points made the subject of the question of Bro . Baskett , and having said so much , by way of application , he thought Grand Lodge would be able to deal with it . Bro . W . F . LAMONBY seconded Bro . Baskett ' s amendment .

Bro . Rev . R . J . SIMPSON , P . G . C ., appealed to Bro . Baskett to withdraw it , believing that if the recognition was adopted , the happier , better , and more united would the brethren in the Colony be . Bro . Sir J . C . DIMSDALE , P . G . T ., supported Bro . Simpson ' s appeal . He thought there should be no further hesitation in granting the recognition . Bro . J . M . DARGAVILLE , of Dargarville , N . Z ., said that as an old

colonist of 30 years in the Colony , he hoped to be allowed to give his opinion on this most important matter . He would like to add his request to the mover of the amendment that he should withdraw it . The value of the resolution itself would be very much enhanced by the fact of its being unanimous or almost entirely unanimous . The brethren of this Grand Lodge would best carry free recognition to the New Zealand Grand Lodge

at once , and not defer it for a year or two longer and then grant it grudgingly and reluctantly . He would like to refer to the state of things in the Colony . As Lord Onslow had stated , there was a great difference there now . The position of the brethren in the Colony was different now to what it was at the inception of this movement for a Grand Lodge , and the recognition was then withheld , and very properly withheld . They were

different now . There were thousands of men , leading colonists , connected with the New Zealand Grand Lodge , and what was the position of the brethren under the English Constitution ? They were debarred from visiting or recognising these New Zealand brethren or their lodges , and must not permit them to enter their lodges . The existing state of things in New Zealand was a reproach to Freemasonry and the sooner it was removed the better .

He thought there was no brother present who would doubt it for a single moment , that whether recognition was granted now , sooner or later it would come ; the question was whether we should do it now in a free , fraternal spirit , or wait until something more like unanimity in the Colonies was found to exist . He knew the feeling of Masons throughout New Zealand and he said the rank and file of English Masons there would be delighted , it would

afford them every satisfaction that recognition had been extended by this Grand Lodge to the New Zealand Constitution . He would say no more than that it would not reflect on any one of the officials in any way ; they were all animated by the best desire for the interest of the young Craft ; but he did entreat this Grand Lodge as an old colonist and a Mason of 30 or 40 years not to hesitate any longer , but to carry out the wishes that our Grand Master had expressed .

Bro . GREENWOOD , 200 7 , said that as a colonist of New Zealand he supported what their late Governor , Lord Onslow , told Grand Lodge as to the movement which started towards the time that his lordship was Governor . His lordshi p had said he declined to accept the position of the first Grand Master for reasons which he explained to the brethren in New Zealand then . The movement was continued , and it had grown from the time of its

inception until now . For some years lodges under the English Constitution visited those under the new Constitution . It was a thunderbolt thrown among them when they were told by Grand Lodge of England that they were no longer to visit their brethren—because they were their brethren—and it was the greatest blow to the Masonic spirit that could possibly have fallen upon the Masons of New Zealand . In his own case , he was made a Mason in

l \ ew Zealand in a lodge which afterwards seceded , and then he was told lliat he must not visit his mother lodge . Did Grand Lodge think that such a state of things should continue ? Was it because their Colonies were so far away from England that this stale of things had been permitted to continue so long ? There were many points on which he could touch to urge the brethren to agree to this resolution . No brother who had been anywhere in

the Colony could doubt what the feeling would be after it had been telegraphed that recognition had been granted to the new Grand Lodge . He need not say any more , but he must add that , as an English Mason , a mason working under the English Constitution , they in New Zealand still wished to remain loyal to the Grand Lodge of England ; but , at the same time , they wished recognition , they desired to be incorporated with the Grand Lod ge of New Zealand .

M " RlcIIARU EVE , P . G . T ., after listening attentively to the debate , said he was sorry there was so small an assembly in Grand Lodge . It was a very great and vital question , and ought to have gone before the Board of vjeneral Purposes first . He was favourable to the principle of recognition n ~ atl ( * Lodges in the Colonies . He denied that the position in regard to he Grand Lodge of New Zealand was the same as in 18 S 8 in the case of

|> ew South Wales . He desired that if this recognition took place , it should e clearl y defined that if three members of a lodge , or three lodges , desired 0 retain their warrants , they should be allowed to do so . If this was not provided for , the question was abundant in difficulties . Taking into consider-1011 the matters of past times , this question should have come before a

slat f ¦ ca on should be glad to put an end to the present L'u , , ' S hi New Zealand . If the rights of minorities were to be safeh ^ oed by the resolution , he should join in aiking Bro . Baskett to withdee W •amcndment . If the amendment was persevered in , he should t u m lt necessary to move the insertion of the words after lodge , " in which anJ libers at least remain under the Constitution of this Grand Lodge District Grand Lodge in which three lodges remain and desire . "

United Grand Lodge And The Grand Lodge Of New Zealand.

Bro . BASKETT said he was perfectly willing to withdraw in favour of the amendment of Bro . Eve . He wanted to prevent the Book of Constitutions being overridden . Bro . the Earl of LATHOM thought that if the resolution was put it would then remain for Grand Lodge to consider the effect of the last four lines in the recommendation , with reference to the wording of those lines , they would be considered by the Grand Master .

Bro . BASKETT said then it would be taken down to a point he suggested . He would withdraw it , certainly , to let thit go in . Bro . RICHARD EVE said then he would move the addition of the words he had suggested . Bro . the Earl of ONSLOW said the wording of the resolution clearly showed a desire to treat with justice those lodges which desired to retain their allegiance to Grand Lodge of England . They should not dictate to

his Royal Hi ghness what should be the amount of consideration he should extend to those lodges . B y so dictating they were taking upon themselves somewhat of presumption , and it would be more in accordance with the spirit of treating a question of this kind in the proper way that the amendment should be withdrawn , and his Royal Highness would consider the matter and bring it before Grar . d Lodge . It would bi better than embodying the recommendation in the resolution .

Bro . J . S . CUMBERLAND said the whole thing was covered by the Book of Constitutions , where three remained the lodge was allowed to continue to exist ; three members formed a lodge , and three lodges a District Grand Lodge . Bro . Eve ' s amendment was absolutely unnecessiry therefore . Bro . BASKETT : The Book of Constitutions says so ; but does Grand Lodge accept that ? Bro . EVE insisted on his amendment .

Bro . HORTON SMITH , Q . C ., D . G . R-g ., supported the original motion because it would create harmony in a district where there was not harmsny . After some further discussion , the amendment was put and lost by an overwhelming majority , and the original motion was put and carried almost unanimously . Grand Lodge was then closed in ample form

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

A Special General Meeting of the Governors and Subscribers of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was held in Freemasons' Hall on Tuesday , the 28 th ultimo , at the hour of 12 noon . Bro . George E . Faircbild , PA . G . D . C , Patron , occupied the chair , and there were present Bros . T . W . Whitmarsh , P . G . P . i Rowland G . Venables , P . A . G . D . C , DeD . P . G . M . Shropshire ; Charles

Sheppard ; Hugh Cotter ; J . E . Le Feuvre , P . G . D ., Dep . P . G . M . Hants and Isle of Wight ; C . H . Webb , S . G . Bonner , A . G . Duck , G . Blizird Abbott , J . Goddard , E . Walker , W . H . Hubbert , William Raiker , Thomas Hutchinson , W . Fisher , W . W . Morgan , and James Terry , P . G . S . B . ( Secretary ) . The notice convening the meeting having been read ,

Bro . WHITMARSH rose and moved that Law 18 , as it at present stands , be rescinded , and the following substituted in lieu thereof , viz .: " In consideration of the grants from Grand Lodge , the M . W . G . M ., or his Nominee , and every Provincial G . M ., or his Nominee , shall , at every Election for Male Annuitants , be entitled to Two Votes , and at every Election for Female Annuitants to One Vote for every Lodge in London or Province . And in

consideration of the grants from the Supreme Grand Chapter , the Grand ' / .., or his Nominee , and every Superintendent , or his Nominee , shall , at every Election for Male Annuitants , be entitled to Two Votes , and at every Election for Female Annuitants to One Vote for every Chapter in London or Province ; the number of Lodges and Chapters for which they claim Votes shall be determined by the number of Lodges and Chapters recorded in the ' Freemasons' Calendar and Pocket-Book ' for the current year . "

Bro . WHITMARSH urged that the new law as proposed would effect a material saving of time both to the Grand Secretary ' s office and that of the Secretary of the Institution , as well as to the Scrutineers on the day of election , while , at the same time , it would effect a saving of upwards of £ 40 in the printing and postage of voting papers .

The resolution was seconded by Bro . FISHER , and supported by Bro . Annorr , but a strong feeling manifested itself amongst those present that it would be hard upon London that her lodges should be virtually disfranchised , and Bro . LE FEUVRE , influenced by this , suggested that the votes should be issued to the London lodges and chapters as heretofore , and that the new law should be framed so as only to affect the lodges and chapters which are located in the provinces , the chapters in provinces which have no Superintendent receiving their votes in accordance with the existing law .

This suggestion met with very general approval , and it was thereupon unanimously resolved" That Clause 18 be expunged and the following substituted in lieu thereof . " In consideration of the Grant from Grand Lodge the Master of every Lodge in the London District shall , at every election for Male Annuitants , be entitled to two votes , and at every election for Female Annuitants to one vote . Every Prov . G .

Master , or his Nominee , shall , at every election for Male Annuitants , be entitled to two votes , and at every Election for Female Annuitants to one vote lor every lodge in his Province . And in consideration of the grants from the Supreme Grand Chapter the First Principal of every London Royal Arch Chapter shall , at every election for Male Annuitants , be entitled to two votes , and at every election for Female Annuitants to one vote . Every Superintendent of a Province or his

Nominee shall , at every election for Male Annuitants , be entitled to two votes , and at every election for Female Annuitants to one vote for every Chapter in the Province . In the case of a Province where there is no Superintendent , the votes shall be sent to the First Principal of the respective Chapters . The number of Lodges and Chapters claimed in the Provinces to be determined by the number of Lodges and Chapters recorded in the ' Freemasons' Calendar and Pocket Book ' for the current year . "

This will accordingly be submitted for the approval of United Grand Lodge at its Quarterly Communication in September . Bro . S . G . BONNER next rose and proposed that in Clause No . 1 . p . 34 , of the Widow ' s Qualifications , after the word ' ¦ Lodge" in the third line there should be inserted the following words : " unless in the case of her husband ' s petition having been accepted by the Committee , and he died before his election , in such case her application will be considered eligible . "

This was seconded by Bro . RAIKER , and after a few words from Bro . WEBB , was declared to be carried by a majority of 10 to two . A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceedings to a close .