Masonic Publicity.

MASONIC PUBLICITY .

IT is not often we have an expression of opinion from those high in authority on the subject of publication of Masonic news or particulars of work

done in connection with the English Craft , yet we

venture to think the press of the country plays no unimportant a part in the general work of the Order , while it may be said to take a leading share in

promoting the success of one of the great adjuncts of English Freemasonry—the Charity Funds to be found in London or working through one or other of the Provincial centres .

We do not say that these funds would not have been in existence but for the press , but even that might be urged in regard to many of them , which

have in reality been promoted in imitation of existing organisations whose work was commented upon , either in the local newspapers , or in one or other of the journals intimately associated with our Brotherhood .

In the case of the great Institutions of the Craft , however , the case is somewhat different—we distinctly claim for the press a large share in securing the great amount of success they have achieved , and although

the Funds might have reached their present importance in the ordinary course of events , the Craft would have had to wait very many years later for such popularity as they now enjoy , if there had been no press to continually keep their actions before the

Craft , and by repeatedly showing what was done in different quarters urging others to follow on in the good work , and equal or emulate their fellows . In another column we briefly report the remarks

of one of the heads of the English Craft , in the person of Past Grand Master H . E . H . the Duke of Connaught , which , although opposing a perfect freedom of the press in regard to the publication of reports of Masonic meetings , is quite in accord with our ideas

of the fitness of things . The Duke of Connaught , speaking at the annual meeting of his Provincial Grand Lodge , at Worthing , endorsed certain remarks that had been made in regard to the impropriety of publishing full lists of names of Brethren present at

Masonic meetings , and said he sympathised with those who objected to the publication of names so freely . At the same time he considered it was a question which hardly called for the exercise of his prerogative

to actually prohibit the publication of any particulars of what took place at Masonic proceedings . We hope

this expression of opinion by our Past Grand Master will have due weight , not only in his own district , but generally throughout the country , and that those responsible for the proper conduct of the press in Masonic matters will take steps to keep their columns

Masonic Publicity.

closed to anything appertaining to a disclosure of Freemasonry . In London and one or two of the larger centres of civilisation there may not be any particular harm in giving a full list in the public papers of those

present at meetings , but even there it is not necessary , and , it seems to us , is likely to create wrong impressions ; but when we turn to the smaller towns

we at once see that positive harm may result from this practice , an opinion which will be shared , we imagine , by most of those who are in a position to

express themselves on the point one way or the other . It is no use denying the fact that " people will talk , " and it is certainly undesirable in many cases to give

the gossips of a provincial town further food for criticising the work and the association of Masons , by publishing full lists of those present at particular gatherings .

As we entertain these ideas it may be asked why we so frequently give similar lists to those complained of in our columns ? The case is not quite the same ,

at ours being a class paper is not so likely to fall into the hands of outsiders , but we are opposed to the practice , and usually omit names , except so far as

Officers are concerned , unless requested to give them . We have long recognised that there is a great objection to full lists being indiscriminately published , but now that official notice has been taken of the matter we shall certainly advise more care in complying with the wishes of those concerned . It is gratifying to know chat the Duke of

Connaught is evidently of opinion that a mere expression of his desires in this particular will have some weight , and we look for the best results attending his utterances on the point . He did not say he

recognised the utility of the press—even in Masonic matters—but on the other hand he expressed the opinion that it was not necessary for him to exercise any authority in this matter ; no doubt he was

satisfied that the good sense of those who report Masonic meetings in his district would render any further complaints of excessive publicity , or any official action quite unnecessary .

Dr . Dyke , the oldest member of the Province of South Wales Eastern Division , was presented by Brother D . B . Lewis P . M . on behalf of the Loyal Cambrian Lodge ,

No . 110 , at a meeting on the lst inst ., with an admirable portrait in oils of himself . The artist was Bro . G . F . Harris . Dr . Dyke ( who is the medical officer of health for Merthyr ) has several times been Worshipful Master ,

and he has been a member of the Lodge for the very long term of fifty-five years .