THE MASONIC GATHERING.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12499, 9 May 1906, Page 6

THE MASONIC GATHERING.

i —— j Peculiar interest «ttachos to the imj port-ant Masonic ceremony whicli tak<-s J pljioo in tlius city tonight. It will in ' I the first placo I** by far thf> greater ' j £ntlioriTi£ of members of tho crafr th.-vt ' i luv ovor IxvuhHcl in Now Zealand, ami ' • tln> occasion will silm> Ik , nntowortliy for < 'tho fact that Lord Plunket, who i* to 1 : (n> (> rand Master of the Grand ! of Now Zealand, i> tho first Go- t < vernor of this colony who has held tlhat : j exalted ]tositi«yn. As was shown in th. , I ] •spixrial Article in yostorday's "Prcs*." , ! (U<s< ribinji tho retahliphnuMU of a (irand ] liodjxo in this colony, strong efforts were i niado to induce Lord Onslow to sic«*pt • I tho office of first Grand But . hLs Excellency required tho adhoion to i the iiroposod Grand Lodge of a larger i

proportion of the lodges in the colony than lnad po far given support, to the movemnnt. and he could not therefor© accede. to the request. Since then, the Grand Lodge has made Kteady progress, and has now practically as many lodges under ite governance as existed altogether in New Zealand sixteen yoare ago. As time goes on, it J must become still stronger, until every Masonic Lodge in the colony acknowledges its tfway, for a Grand Lodge is ! paramount in ite own country and no new lodges can he formed here under tho English. Scottish, or Irish constitutions. The acceptance by lib Excellency, who holds the position of lASt Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge lof Ireland, of the office of Grand Maei tar for New Zealand. emphasises the distinctly national character of this Grand Lcdyo movement, and will give the New Zealand Grand Lodge a standing among similar institutions that it has not yet enjoyed. There is every rea*-«n why even those outside tho craft should wish prosperity to the Grand Lodge, for one of the chief objects of its foundere was to establish in New Zealand the means for extending to Masons in this colony that benevolent aid which it is the duty and privilege of Freemasons all the world over to offer to those who need it. A strong Grand Lodge means large charitable and benevolent fundis. T/aMfc year tho report showed that tlie Grand Lodge of Now Zealand possessed accumulated funds to the amount of close upon £9000, of which over £5000 stood to the credit of the. widows, ■ orphans., and aged iMasons fund, while . the general benefit fund amounted to £'2000. It is only reasonable to sup- , pose, that this year's report will show a ) gratifying increase, in these amounts. . Tlie Grand Lodge of New Zealand will i, probably never bo able to equal the colok- , sal benevolent fnndfiofthc Grand Lodgo , of England, but. already it is grarating > anruritioei to aged and indigent Masons, ; and in process of time it may be able to . found Masonic orphanages, similar to L thoso erected and supported by English . Maeons. That, at all events, is under- ; stood to bo its aim. Wo have not > touched oik the wider scope of Fireemaaoairy, becauee that is a matter for , M-asons alone. But If to hold out a helping hand to the .needy and deserv--1 iag wero the limit of usefulness of the i Grand Lodge of New Zealand, which Is by no mean/* rhe cn.se, it has established • a sufficient claim to the gratitude of thc> 1 public and the strong support of tho brethren.