Masonic Aid For War Victims.

MASONIC AID FOR WAR VICTIMS .

npHE past week has witnessed a * wide spread and * well sustained outburst of Masonic enthusiasm in support of the different funds started to afford relief to sufferers through the war in South Africa . From all

parts of the Kingdom there are tidings of Lodge votes and Masonic collections , and doubtless many more are yet to be heard of . We have a long list of Lodge contributions in type , but are unfortunately compelled to hold it over for lack of space .

Compulsion In Vote Organisation.

COMPULSION IN VOTE ORGANISATION .

LTHOUGH it would be a difficult matter to over-¦ **¦ estimate the advantages which accrue to the different Provinces throughout the country as the result of the organisation of voting power which is now so

generally practised outside the metropolitan area , it must not be overlooked that the benefits may be purchased too dearly , and that while combination is

profitable , and in many ways desirable , there are other considerations to be thought of , and individual rights to be recognised and studied in this connection , as in others where similar tactics are attempted .

The advantages of combination , with the object of securing the election of a particular candidate for one of the Masonic Institutions , are so self-evident , and have had such beneficial effects—in the quarters

were regularly carried out—that one is apt to overlook that very much of the success and growth of this principle of co-operation has arisen from the fact that it has been carried on wholly voluntarily on the

part of those who have secured votes by their individual donations ; no compulsion having been attempted and , so far , no compulsion having been thought desirable , and we think it will be necessary to continue on this

basis of voluntary support , as opposed to compulsory combination , if success is to be continued in the future , or even if the arrangement itself , which has produced such tangible results in the past , is to go on .

Entertaining this opinion we can but view with surprise the remarks accredited to Bro . C . D . Cheetham Chairman of the East Lancashire Charity Committee , at the recent meeting of that Provincial Grand Lodge ,

as reported elsewhere in this issue , and we feel that he has not only overstepped the bounds of prudence , but opened up a question he and others may find it very difficult to deal with if his views are endorsed outside

his Province , or even if they are not considerabl y modified within it at no distant date . Briefly , Bro . Cheetham seeks to sweep away the voluntary principle in regard to voting combination , and preaches a gospel

of compulsion—only so far as the Lodges of his Province are concerned at present , it is true—but overbearing officialism does not as a rule stop at trifles , and unless the worthy Brother we name is not speedily convinced of his error he , or some other Charity

Compulsion In Vote Organisation.

Committee Chairman may , ere long , seek to enforce the same control over individual voters as he seems to think should be exercised over the votes possessed by the Lodges of the Province of East Lancashire . Our

Brother Cheetham is reported as having said that his Provincial Grand Lodge had a right to demand that the Charity Representatives should look well after the votes which the Lodges held , and forward them to the

proper quarter . We admit the justice of the first proposition , but pause to ask who shall decide as to the proper quarter for the votes to be sent to ? Bro . Cheetham , however , answers the questions in advance , as he said the Committee of the Province had decided

that in future any Lodge failing to forward their votes to the Provincial Grand Secretary the names would be brought before the next Provincial Grand Lodge , which , he threateningly remarked , would not be a pleasant

thing for the Charity Representatives . In other words , combination for voting puposes is , in future , so far as East Lancashire Lodges are concerned , to be compulsory instead of voluntarily—the Lodges pay the

piper , and a Committee is to order the tunes ! Well , it may work , but we very much doubt it , and we do not think it will be advantageous if the suggested plan is to

be enforced , or even an attempt made to put it into practice . There is probably a limit even to the endurance of supporters of Masonic Charity Funds .

Arch Masonry In Cheshire.

ARCH MASONRY IN CHESHIRE .

AN important discussion took place at the monthly meeting of the Northvvich Lodge , with reference to the proposed revival of the Sincerity Chapter , which has been in abeyance for several years . Amongst others present were Bros , the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., Provincial Grand Superintendent , Richard Newhouse ( Altrincham ) ,

John Armstrong ( Liverpool ) , F . Broadsmith ( Manchester ) , and J . E . Steward ( Marple ) . Bro . Tatton Egerton , in the course of an address , announced that a recommendation of the General Committee of Grand Chapter to remove the Sincerity Chapter from the roll had been withdrawn . He

remarked that Royal Arch Masonry was in a nourishing condition in Cheshire , and it was his earnest desire that the Sincerity Chapter should not be allowed to lapse . Several others spoke , and as a result of the conference the Sincerity Chapter will in all probability be resuscitated with every prospect of success .

A concert and lecture was arranged for yesterday ( Friday ) evening , at the Styal Cottage Homes , near Manchester , Bro . T . B . Grimshaw P . M . taking the leading part

the lecture being illustrated by powerful oxy-hydrogen lantern views , under the direction of Bro . W . E . Partington . Among others who assisted in the entertainment were Bro . F . K . Cooke , F . I . S ., and Bro . G . Thompson .

The ceremony of installation will be rehearsed in the Frairs Lodge of Instruction , No . 1349 , by Bro . D . Moss P . M ., at the Aldgate Distillery , Aldgate , E ., on Thursday , 30 th inst ., and knowing the excellent working to be met with at the Friars Lodge we can confidentl y recommend a visit on the occasion .