MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14667, 16 May 1913, Page 10

MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

ANNUAL COMMUNICATION. (SPECIAL TO "THE TT.EBS.") AUCKLAND, May 15. TJic Masonic Grand Lodgo concluded its annual communication shortly alter noon to-day. The principal business of the sitting was tho further considerai tion of amendments to the Constitution. One proposed rule, virtually making life insurance a condition precedent of J admission into tho craft, was withdrawn by tho Board of General Purposes, which considered that it was sufficient to have directed attention to tho necessity of providence on tho part of applicants for membership. All the amendments of any importance brought forward by tho Board were adopted. Next camo a motion by a privato member in favour of, voting at Grand Lodgo communications by post. As, however, this was considered open to tho same objections as proxy voting, long ago abolished, it was emphatically negatived. "Another motion in favour of life membership of lodges met with tho same fate. The question of the centralisation of tho Grand Lodge office, in one of tho four large cities, Wellington, for preference, came up on a motion emanating from the "Westport Lodge, and was put to the vote practically without discussion. The division resulted in a majority in favour of tho motion, and on a ballot being taken, the increased voting power of representatives of lodges made the majority still more emphatic. Under tho laws of the institution, however, tho resolution cannot take effect unless it is confirmed by the next annual communication to be held at j Christchurch in May, 1914. ; Motions in the direction of making tho communications biennial instead of , annual, and affirming the necessity ot reducing the number of,.representatives in Grand Lodge, were lost by large majorities. _ After various complimentary resolutions to the officers of tho past year, and to Auckland for its entertainment of the visitors, Grand Lodgo was closed. The visitors were entertained at a conversazione in the Town Hall in tho evening, and a harbour excursion tomorrow afternoon is also in tho social programme.