Efficient Representation.

EFFICIENT REPRESENTATION .

ACOEEESPONDENT recently addressed us on what he considers a fault in the Masonic representative system , and based his comments on a notice which appeared in one of the Scottish Masonic columns , where

it was reported that a proposal was formally submitted at a Lodge meeting , that in future the agenda of business of Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge should be

read out and discussed from time to time , so that the Lodge might be able to instruct its representatives how to vote .

This , of course , would necessitate the holding of Lodges of Emergency at stated intervals , but our correspondent provides for that by suggesting that the Master of a Lodge should have the power of calling a

special assembly of his members at two days' notice , provided there was anything of a really controversial character in the Agenda of Grand Lodge , or as an alternative course he proposes that the programme of

Grand Lodge business should be issued one or two weeks earlier than is now done . But , it may be asked , what would be the use of this action , in view of the existing conditions under which Grand Lodge is

constituted , neither the Past Masters nor the Wardens who are eligible to attend the deliberations of Grand Lodge being under any obligation to express the views of their fellow members , or in any way act in accordance with

their ideas or expressions of opinion . Grand Lodge is , in fact , an assemblage of Masons who have won distinction in the Craft , rather than a body representative of the Lodges of the country , and we cannot see that

there is any need for attempting such an alteration in its constitution as would be necessary if the views of our correspondent , or the proposal of his Scottish friends , were to be put into practice .

He thinks there might arise occasions , however , when it would be desirable to ascertain the opinion of the Craft as a body , and then some different system of voting would be necessary than what is at present

recognised as sufficient , but the experiences of the past have shown so little necessity for such action that we hardly think it desirable to consider the point at present , although if , as our correspondent endeavours to argue ,

the Craft is becoming more contentious , and more active in deciding on particular points , it may require careful consideration in the future .

Ihe views of the Brethren we have referred to appear to be based on the idea that Grand Lodge occupies a position towards Freemasonry similar to that

enjoyed by the House of Commons towards the Kingdom at large , whereas they should regard it as a Masonic House of Lords , with no recognised body in any way equivalent to the lower House . Whether it may be

Efficient Representation.

found desirable to continue the government of the Craft without the intervention of an elective council is a question to be left to the future , but should it ever be deemed necessary to create something of the sort the

adoption of the plan we spoke of last week , of allowing proxy voting for appointments to the Board of General Purposes and other Committees of Grand Lodge , would seem to provide a ready means of meeting the matter ,

especially if , as would be necessary in order to make those bodies truly representative , the votes were given to particular candidates by different Lodges , as decided by their members at stated meetings , instead of , as is

now the case , by individual members of Grand Lodge , without any consultation , or consideration of the views of their fellow members . We are , however , inclined to think the necessity has not yet arisen for any material alteration in the conduct of Masonic affairs so far as the

power of Grand Lodge and its officials is concerned , although in so expressing ourselves we know we are acting in direct opposition to the views of certain distinguished Brethren , some of whom promise to test

the right of the powers that be to exercise auy control over Grand Lodge procedure , and through it over the Craft as a body . Should they persevere in their endeavours the question of more direct representation would almost

of necessity come prominently to the front , so that the subject is one deserving of consideration , in order that Brethren may be in a position to readily express an opinion one way or the other , as soon as the time is ripe for doing so .

Staffordshire.

STAFFORDSHIRE .

IE evidence were needed of the increased popularity of Freemasonry at the present day , as compared with even a dozen years back , it would be found in the numbers who now take part in the more important functions of the Craft , such as the Installation of a new

Provincial Grand Master , an event which occurred on Monday of last week , at Wolverhampton , when the Earl of Dartmouth ( Lord Lieutenant of the county ) was inducted into office as Grand Master of Stafford .

The meeting was one of the largest ever held , beating the well-remembered gathering in West Yorkshire , which has been looked on as establishing the record in point of attendance at a Provincial assembly ; the total number of Brethren present last week being 705 , including some

of the most distinguished members of the Craft . The Earl of Dartmouth received his appointment as Masonic ruler of Staffordshire some months back , iu succession to the late Bro . Colonel A . C . Foster Gough , who enjoyed but a short term of power , he having been

appointed as recently as 1889 ; and the selection gave general satisfaction , Lord Dartmouth ' s distinguished position in the county , and his personal popularity naturally causing the Brethren to appreciate his

selection for the highest office m the Province , their