ORANGEMEN' IN SESSION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17104, 28 March 1921, Page 5

ORANGEMEN' IN SESSION.

ANNUAL MEETING OF N.Z. GRAND LODGE.

/ The thirteenth annual session of the Grand Lodge of the Loyal-Orange Institution of New Zealand opened in the Orange Hall, Worcester street, on Saturday, the Right Worshipful Grand Master, Bro. A. Noble, presiding. The lodge was tyled at 9 a.m., delegates being in attendance from all parts of the Dominion, the gathering of the Order being the largest and most representative yet held in New Zealand.'

A Civic Reception.

Following the usual routine business, a temporary adjournment was made to permit of the reception of the Mayor, who attended to offer the delegates 9 civic, welcome, and to congratulate them on their choice of the city as the meeting ground for their deliberations. His Worship was received by the Grand Master, who briefly recited the objects of the Order, the dominant principles of which were, loyalty to tne State, to the King, the constitution, and tho form of Government they represented, and the maintenance of the Protestant religion. ; Dr. Thacker then proceeded to welcome the delegates and. to express his appreciation of their presence in the city, 'and, speaking as one who had tho interests of humanity at heart, he commended the work in which they were engaged, expressing the hope that their operations and those of kindred friendly societies, which the State had supplemented by means of the National Provident Fund, might continue to prosper. Incidentally, the Mayor also expressed his pleasuife at seeing a fellow-Parlia-mentarian present, in the person of Mr Dickson.

The Right Worshipful Deputy-Grand Master, Bro. the Rev. H. Knowles Smith, on behalf of the assembled brethren, acknowledged, in humorous vom, the Mayor's kindly welcome to this; "one of the most important cities in the Dominion" —he presumed his .Worship might hold it to be the most important, but there were delegates pre-, sent from—Bluff, for instance (laughter—who plight think otherwise. The brethren were at one with hig Worship in their desire to extend the principle of charity to all men, and to work for ths good of- humanity, although they were not a friendly society in the ordinary iSense of the term. Loyalty to God, the King, and their country, and love for their fellowmen, were the dominating 'principles of their Order P.G.M. Bro. J. S. Dickson, M.P., also expressed his appreciation of the Mayor's presence, and his kindly remarks, and called for cheers for Dr. Thacker, which were heartily given, cheers being also given for MrsTjiacker. The Mayor then withdrew, after wishing the delegates an 'enjoyable time in the city, and success in their deliberations. , . Grand Master's Address.

The Grand Master, in his address, spoke of the great anxiety and unrest, socially, industrially, and commercially, that had come upon them as the aftermath of the Great War. He stressed the fact that while, as an institution, tiroy stood firmly for law, order, and constitutional freedom, their .sympathies were with the masses in their desire not merely to exltbg, hut to have -the right to "live'' in the true sense of the word. He referred to the visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, which had given theis executive the opportunity of eespressing the loy&lty and devotion which had, all through its history, marked their institution, to the ii.ing and the Bfopire, by presentingan illuminated address of welcome to their future King, expressing their continued allegiance. Referring to Ireland, he said: "Out feelings towards that part of the Empire, which gave birth to our institution, and where our forefathers suffered to secure and maintain sacred the liberties we enjoy to-day, must liecessorily always be of special interest. None of lis can have followed the events of the last year in Ireland without feeling the' Utmost sympathy for our brethren in the perilous conditions which thiy have had V> face, and are endu% ing with the same Protestant courage which, was typical' of their ancestors. We -pray with all sincerity that the campaign of murder and outrage being carried on by Sinn Fein, m their endeavour to disintegrate, the Empire, will speedily be brought to an end. He trusted the Grand Lodge would take steps to convey to their brethren, in the form of a resolution to their distinguished leader, Sir li»dward Carson, their whole-hearted Support and sympathy with them in their great struggle against the dismemberment of their great Empire. Referring to the arrival of the new Governor-General, the Grand Master remarked: "It re specially fitting that a Dominion which played such 1 an honourable part in the Great War should have the hero of Jutland as its new Governor-General. I trust that steps will be taken to convey a suitable welcome to him, together with , a reiteration of our unswerving loyalty | to his Majesty the -King." " Politically, the Grand Master said they had every reason to be pleased wjith the legislation of the la'st twelvo months, particularly as it affected the safeguarding of their Protestant rights. In this connexion the withdrawal or scholarship privileges from denominational schools, free railwaj privileges to nuns, and the passing of the Marriage Amendment Act, dealing with the> Ne Tftmorfl decree, stood ft's matters on which to congratulate the Government of New Zealand. "At the \ same time we would place on record the_ magnificent and able manner in which these matters have been handled by the Rev. Howard Elliott, as head of the Protestant Political Association of New Zealand. The question of the free carnage of denominational school children _ on tho railways, the rating of denominational sdhool property, -and the inspection of in view of recent disclosures in New Zealand and Australia —are matters which call for active support and agitation from all Protestants, and more particularly members of the Orange Institution. He urged the members of the Order to take a keen and active interest m municipal,, school committee, and Education Board elections, by seeing that none but good Protestants and loyal Britishers were" selected as representatives on those public bodies. He further suggested the petting lip, in the capital city, of a Public Questions Committee, "whoso special duty it should be I to watch over • and public questions which are of: special interest to bur institution. The want of such a committee to (advise the Grand Master was abundantly apparent when the Marriage Amendment Bill was under discussion, and, if we 1 are to take prompt action on such occasions some Advisory Board or committee of this soft is an absolute necessity." While they were opposed to the errors of Romanism, the Grand Master further remarked, there were other "issues' to be fought, namely, Bolshevism and Sinn Feinism, which were, without doubt, the cause' pi a x great deal of the unrest existing to-day, and'making ■ the task of reconstruction so difficult. I Other matters dealt with by the Grand

Master in his address referred more in detail to the working of the Order, and to matters affecting it, the whole address being attentively followed, and a committee Wing set up at its conclusion, to deal with the suggestions contained therein.

Annual 'Reports. The Grand Secretary's report showed that the institution was maintaining its prestige, and exerting tin influence for good in many quarters. Five warrants had been issued for the opening of new lodges during the year three for male 3nd two for iemalc lodges, eacl of which was showing satisfactory progress. Two dormant lodges had been revived and were working ;n no uncertain wav. "Wo are," the report Mild, "face to face with dowrinmed oppo. nents, vigorous r.nd We must meet that opposition with greater vigour and organisation, it "will jnftau closing up the ranks and presenting » united ..and determined front." The Grand Treasurer's report showed the finances tt> be in a satisfactory condition, with substantial balances to the of the several accounts. ' Other reports presented showed that t'he organisation was working satisfactorily, with a largely-increased membership and greater interest, the reports being adopted and their recommendations,, etc., agreed to. The remainder of the session was devoted to general business and discussions covering'a wide subjects, the day's work closing at 0.40 p.m.

Complimentary Social. In the evening the Orange Hall was crowded, the occasion being a complimentary social and dance tendered to* the delegates and their friends. W. Bro. A. Noble, G.M., Presided, W. Bro. F. J. Chambers, G.D.C., acting aa M.C. In an/interval in the proceedings, W. Bro. C. Ellis. D.G.M., on behalf of the five District Lodges, welcomed the delegates, and expressed a hope that their visit to Christchurch would be « pleasant one.

W. Bro. A. Noble, G.M., in reply, said that, the- officer's and delegates of Grand Lodge were verjfcp leased to Tie in such a delightful city as Oliristchurch. They were very pleased with the arrangements made for.£heir comfort. As regards the session, the reports presented were of .a most encouraging nature. The membership had increased'considerably. The numbor of lodges waa also increasing slowly. The success of the lodges would only be assured, when they mado known the grand principles of the Order. "He hoped they would all go back to their lodges and make known those great principles. (Applause.) During the evening musical and other items were contributed by Mesdamea Chambers, Penlington, Sisters Jacobs and Tongue, and Bros. Garland and Genge.

Church Parade. The Easter church service in connexion with the Grand Lodge sessions of ttfie Loyal Orange Institution of New Zealand was held in the Liberty Theatre yesterday afternoon. Brethren of the various Orange Lodges marched in regalia from the Orange Hall to the theatre and back to the hall after she service. Tihe procession was headed by a pipe band and brethren bearing she insignia of the Order. The service was presided over by Bro. A. Noble, R.'W.fr.M., and the preacher was Bro. Rev. G. Iv. Aitken, Grand Chaplain, who- gave an address on the /subject of Protestant unity. Bro. C. F. Falconer, P.M., also gave an address. The Richmond/ Methodist choir led the singing of several hymns, and prayers of intercession and thanksgiving were offered < up. The service concluded with the Benediction. ' -