MASONIC RITUAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 86, 2 July 1927, Page 8

MASONIC RITUAL

Sir, * Your correspondent, J. Gracie, writing under the above heading in THE SUN’S Wednesday issue, comments on the -D.G.M.’s oration, stating how beautiful is the theory of Masonry, but follows with an accurate criticism of those who, knowing all the craft stands for, fail to practise the teachings in their daily lives. He speaks of charity being one of the chief points, and without" doubt this point should ever remain in a Mason’s mind. Let us leave those who in the first instance join with the idea of reaping benefit by the association, and take the man who attends fairly regularly, pays his dues but for ever remains but an I.C. man. Here is a man who for nearly 20 years is faithful to the craft, but through business failures and ill-health can no longer pay his dues and notifies his lodge accordingly. A few months later he dies and his death and the widow’s embarrassed

circumstances are made known to his former lodge. The lodge secretary, in acknowledging, offers what help it is in his power to give. Now comes my grievance. The widows’ and orphans’ fund is now worth over £102,000. yet before a really- deserving case can be benefited by this agency- the widow mus tstate her needs to the female probation officer of the town in which she resides. To my knowledge this is the case in one town only, and I sincerely trust that it is the exception, for no matter what prestige this officer carries, it must be admitted that she is not the person most suited to carry out these inquiries.

Again, if social workers are to be employed, why not one belonging to the same chorch as the deceased Mason? While recognising the worth and great work that is being done by the Salvation Army, I fail to see what connection Masonry has with one of its female probation officers. Surely a suitable person could be found, say, the widow of a former Mason, to make these inquiries, but if a social worker is really needed, then why not one of each denomination? Surely there should not be the necessity to' appoint

those whose lives are spent in the at* mosphere of court trials to make quiries as to the genuineness of cas*coming before the widows’ and ° r * phans’ board? NORTH-EAST.