THE GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8385, 13 October 1890, Page 5

THE GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND.

RECOGNITION REFUSED. Writing on September 6, our London correspondent says:—A body styling itself the Grand Lodge of New Zealand has applied to tho Grand Lodge of England for its recognition as the sole Masonic jurisdiction in that colony. The application was considered at the quarterly communication of United Grand Lodge of England this week and refused. The Grand Registrar submitted reasons for this course. He pointed out that in case of South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria recognition had been withheld so long as there Appeared to be a divergence of opinion by a large number of lodges standing buck from the desire to form a Grand Lodge of their own, but willingly conceded when uiii'.nimity prevailed. In the present application to Grand Lodge no such unanimity was shown ; on the contrary, Freemasonry in New Zealand was divided into two somewhat equal parts—those who desired to remain under the Mother Grand Lodge of England, Ireland, and Scotland, and those who sought to establish an independent Grand Lodge. The latter body had m accordance with their desire already founded an independent jurisdiction, and had installed the R. vV. Brother Thompson, the District Grand Master of Canterbury, New Zealand, as their Grand Master. That brother had thereon resigned his position under the Grand Lodge of England. The position of Grand Master was first offered to the Governor of the colony, the Earl of Onslow, who, if there had been unanimity, would have very gladly accepted it, but, under the circumstances mentioned, lie thought it right to decline. There were in the colony 87 English lodges, about 50 Scotch, and 15 Irish, making a total of about 15'2. No actual statement had been received of the number of lodges which had joined the movement, butas nearly as could be ascertained there were 40 English, and about the same number of Scotch and Irish had done so. The other District Grand Masters had protested strongly against the movement adopted in order to carry it out, though a large number of lodges had forwarded petitions praying to be allowed to remain under those Grand Lodges, and this was an important element to be taken into account in considering this mat tar. It was perhaps right to add that the Grand Lodge of Scotland had refused the same request for recognition. Under such circumstances the Grand Registrar felt it his duty to submit to Grand Lodtce that as the matter at present stood it would be improper and unfair to the lodges already under the mother Grand Lodge of England in New Zealand, and he therefore recommended that the recognition be not granted. Brother Sir John Monckton moved, and Brother Sir Albert W. Woods seconded, accordingly. Brother Colonel Marmaduke Ramsay, Hiatrict Grand Master of Malta, thought there could be no doubt that if they recognised this Grand Lodge of New Zealand in a hurry they would be doing a great injury to those lodges in the colony winch desired to remain under tho Grand Lodge of England. The motion was carried unanimously. An application for recognition was also received from the Grand Lodge of Tasmania, and granted at once, as it appeared that all lodges in the colony under tlie Grand Lodges of England, Ireland, and Scotland had joined in the formation of a Grand Lodge of Tasmania. Commenting upon these decisions the organ of Freemasonry remarks :—" Our Grand Lodge is ready enough to recognise newly-established colonial Grand Lodges when it has reason to believe that the craft in the colony or colonies in question is to all intents and purposes unanimous in its desire for autonomy. But it will do nothing to encourage movements which, having only the voice of a mere majority to back thorn up, are calculated to do more harm than good to the interests of Freemasonry."