MASONIC UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1950, 4 April 1889, Page 11

MASONIC UNION.

A GEAND LODGE FOB NEW ZEALAND. A meeting of the Masonic craft jwas held in the Hall, Moray place, on Friday evening to consider the desirability of having a Grand Lodge for New Zealand. The meeting -was largely attended, and there were Masons present representing different lodges from Oaraaru to Invercargill. Mr Sydnny James presided. Dr Fitchett moved the firafc resolution—" That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New Zealand be formed, and that immediate steps be taken to that end." He referred, in justification of the motion to the success that had attended the formation of similar lodges in Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales, and urged that upon financial grounds, and also as likely to foster the spirit of unity that ahould pervade Masonry, the step would be advisable here. , Mr A. Burton supported the resolution in an eloquent and vigorous speech, in the course of which he maintained that great advantages would accrue from the adoption of the proposal now mode. Mr H. Nbili moved as an amendment—" That at the present it is not expedient that a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New Zealand be formed." In supporting the amendment he said that the monetary aspect of the question had been treated with scorn by the gentleman who had spoken to the motion ; but still he waß of opinion that that would be the standing point from which most thinking Masons would view the matter. The .three grand lodges at Home received annually from the lodges in New Zealand from £300 to £350 ; and if that was draining the life-blood from Masonry here, its future must indeed be very black. The statement that large sums were Bent away annually was erroneous, and he believed that the oosts in connection with the establishment of a grand lodge would considerably exceed the contributions now seat Home. He questioned whether the lodges represented in that room were prepared to supplement their present payments to a considerable extent, and referred to the unsatisfactory nnanoial position in which many lodgeß now found themselves. Besides this he bad little doubt that if a benevolent fund, for example, were to be distributed from only one general centre an undue portion would be applied to local uses. With regard to the example of Australian grand lodges, he thought they were at present merely experimental, and It was too early yet to bold them up as models of success. Then, too, there would be expense In connection with regalia that would be by no means small. He felt satisfied that something more should be brought before them before they were asked to commit themselves to the formation of a grand lodge. As it was, they were putting the cart before the horse. Certainly more definite proposals should be made and the scheme fully propounded before they were asked to assent to it. A lengthy discussion ensued, during whioh a further amendment was proposed by Mr Golder to the effect " That a conference of members of the three constitutions be invited by the promoters of this movement to agree to a basis of union before the motion is put, and that this meeting stand adjourned pending the report from such conference." Mr Fish seconded this amendment, and Mr Nbili. withdrew his amendment in favour of ifc. Dr Fitchktt was quite willing that the amendment should be agreed to after the motion had been carried ; but thought it would be impolitic to consider details before taking the usual preliminary step of affirming the principle. After a further discussion the CHAIRMAN put Mr Golder's amendment, which was negatived by an overwhelming majority. Dr Fitchttt's motion was then carried, only four hands being held up against it. On the motion of Mr Fish, seconded by Mr Goldstein, the following resolution was then adopted without dissent:— '! That the brethren present_*now undertake to use their best efforts to carry out the first resolution, and hereby form themselves into a Masonic Union for that purpose, with power to add to their number."