The Masonic Mirror.

regard to tho duties which , ha has to perform , hut it is a motion by passing which Grand Loclge will be consulting its own dignity . ( Hear , hear ) . Bro . Havers , in reply , spoke as follows—After the long aucl wearisome discussion which has taken place , I shall occupy your attention but a short time , ' We are accused of grave inconsistency iu having stated our deliberate opinion that no change should be made in the salaries of the Grand Secretary ' s department . But having now examined mosfc carefullinto the matterand taking into consideration

y , another matter—to Avhich ., in the presence of our respected Bro . AA'hite , I need not more particularly allude—ive came to the conclusion that if any increase of salary were made , the Grand Secretary should participate therein . AVe did report that it was not then desirable to charge the Grand Secretary ' s department with any further salary ; bufc Grand Lodge overruled our decision , ancl took out of our hands that decision . ( Hear ) . By their decision to raise the salary of the chief clerk £ 100 a year , they relieved us from our decision . ( Hear , ancl a laugh ) . AVe

wers bound to bear in mind that these salaries were taken into consideration twenty-one years ago , ( hear , hear ) , that the salary of the Grand Secretary was then fixed afc ivhat the Grand Secretary was receiving now , ( hear , hear ) , that you then increased Bro . White ' s salary not merely for his extended services , " but in consequence of the increasing duties he will have to perform , and you have doubled the salary of the head clerk . ( A voice—' Assistant Secretary" ) . Well , you have doubled the salary of Bro . Farnfield the Assistant Secretary ; you have added a

new clerk to the establishment , but you have left the Grand Secretary himself without any increase . ( Hear ) . We therefore come to the conclusion that ifc would be only fair and right to put the Grand Secretary himself in afc least as good a position as the subordinates in his office . Bro . Whitmore has told us that ordinary intelligence , ordinary capacity , ancl ordinary politeness , will suffice for the Grand Secretary . But , with all deference to Bro , AVhitmore , I think tlie Grand Secretary of a great , extensive , ancl most influential institution like ours , should be a gentleman not only perfectly acquainted with our work , capable of giving

something more than mere cut and dried replies to the letters addressed to him but able by his skill and judgment often to prevent matters becoming grave and important ( hear , hear ); understanding the best method by ivhich evil passions may be allayed in 1 , 090 Lodges , and amongst a membership ofthe 100 , 000 Masons arranged under our banners . ( Hear , hear ) . I think ive should have a gentleman who will devote himself entirely to our service ( hear ) , body and mind being employed to keep our society working on its proper basis . ( Hear ) . Now clo you

remunerate a gentleman of that class , and can you secure bis services at the sum of £ 300 a year ? ( Hear , hear ) . It has been urged that doubling the salary of the Assistant Secretary was in payment for his past services ; but is it a sufficient reason that because you pay one brother for his past services you should not pay another for his present services ? ( Hear , hear ) . I " do not ask you to give this as a matter of generosity , bufc of justice . Your head clerk receives £ 300 a year ( justl h after thirty ' service ) and

y enoug years , your Grand Secretary receives the same . But does not the Grand Secretary receive £ 50 from Grand Chapter ? Yes ; but your head clerk receives £ 60 . ( Hear hear . ) The duties now are double those of Bro . White , who , in addition to his salary here , had £ 210 and a house , as Secretary to the Hon . Artillery Company . He had as Grand Secretary £ 300 as salary , ancl £ 100 as gratuity ; £ 50 from Grand Chapter ; £ 210 ancl a house from the Artillery Company ; total , £ 660 . And surely there is no reason why £ 400 a year should be too much for Bro . Gray Clarke , whose duties take all his timeWill

up . you place him in a worse position than his clerks , or the late Grand Secretary ? ( Hoar ) . A brother has stated that the work of the Grand Secretary ' s office has not increased since 1856 ; it may not materiall y have increased since 1856 , but ifc certainly has increased greatly since the year iu which £ 300 a year was considered sufficient for the Grand Secretary ' s salary . Ifc has increased largely year by year since that time , when the receipts of the Board of General Purposes were only £ 1 , 700 , whereas last year they were £ 4 , 000 . It was true there had been addition to the staff

an , but that did not diminish the labours of the Grand Secretary in connexion with his letters , ivhich are over on the increase ; aud through his courtesy and kindness you have matters put to rights every week ' ,