Grand Lodge Of New Zealand.

GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND .

WE are very pleased to learn that the unseemly differences which have so long existed between the Grand Lodge of England and a large number of Brethren of New Zealand have at last been adjusted , and that in future we may look for a return to true Masonic Brotherhood between the mother country and its far-off colony .

The Grand Lodge of England has agreed to recognise the Grand Lodge of New Zealand , and the latter body , on its side , has given its consent to the terms of " recognition" approved by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales M . W . G . M .

The following correspondence , which we extract from . the " New Zealand Craftsman , " gives full particulars of the case , and will doubtless be read by Brethren on this side as a satisfactory solution of what , for a very long time , was a grevious evil in the eyes of many of the most loyal members of the English Craft .

[ COPY ] United Grand Lodge of England , Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , London , November 30 th , 1897 . To the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand .

Dear Sir and Most Worshipful Grand Master , —In reply to the application made by the Grand Lodge of New Zealand to the Grand Lodge of England through a letter of the Most Worshipful Brother H . Dillon Bell ( then Grand Masterof the Grand Lodge of New Zealand ) on February 25 th , 1896 , for recognition a §

a constituted Masonie authority , I have the honour to transmit to you the following copy of the resolution come to by the Grand Lodge of England at a special Grand Lodge held July 29 th , 1896 , and to inform you that the same was duly confirmed at the next meeting of Grand Lodge : —

" That , taking into consideration the message from the Most Worshipful Grand Master , Grand Lodge requests that His Royal Highness will be pleased to take such steps for the recognition of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand and for

fche establishment of fraternal good feeling with our New Zealand Brethren as he may consider consistent with the honour of this Grand Lodge , and with just consideration for those Lodges which may desire to retain their connection with the Grand Lodge of England . "

At the time of the confirmation of the resolution to which I have referred , certain alterations in , or , rather , additions to , the Book of Constitutions dealing with this same subject and intended to meet future cases were in contemplation , and , after much

consideration and a reference to a strong committee , these proposals were adopted by Grand Lodge on March 3 rd , 1897 , and , having been duly confirmed , now form part of fche general laws of the Craft . For your information , I enclose you a copy .

The Most Worshipful Grand Master felt that , in view of these contemplated additions , it would be better to defer formulating the terms upon which he is , under the resolution of

July 29 th , 1896 , prepared to recognise the Grand Lodge of New Zealand until the outcome of the discussion was seen , and he could form a judgment how far either in principle or detail it would be desirable to proceed on similar lines .

I am now directed to state that , having regard to all the circumstances , the Most Worshipful Grand Master is prepared to accord the desired recognition upon the terms which I now enclose , and which it is believed will effectually carry out the

intentions and wishes of both the Grand Lodges concerned , with due regard to the interests and self-respect of each , as well as ensuring those desirable objects of Masonic harmony and union so appropriately stated in the letter of your Past Grand Master .

I shall be glad to hear from you when you are in a position to reply to this communication , and when I hear that the terms are finally settled copies interchangeably signed will be exchanged with your Grand Lodge as a permanent record of the arrangement come to , and the District Grand Lodges will be officially communicated with .

Adverting to the request of your Past Grand Master that the Most Worshipful Grand Master , His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , would become patron of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand , I do nob think there will be-any obstacle so soon as the terms of recognition are arranged . In conclusion , I would express regret at the delay that has

Grand Lodge Of New Zealand.

occurred , although it has been unavoidable , and the hope that these carefully considered terms will commend themselves to the Grand Lodge , of New Zealand and form the basis of enduring and honourable . relations between the two Grand Sovereign Lodges . I have the honour to be ,

Dear Sir and Most Worshipful Grand Master , Yours faithfully and fraternally , E . LETCHWOKTH , Grand Secretary .

[ COPY ] Proposed Terms of Recognition pf the Grand Lodge of New Zealand , drafbed by the Grand Registrar , and approved by His Royal * Highness , the Most Worshipful Grand Master . Grand Lodge at its meeting on July 29 th , 1896 , having

sanctioned the recognition of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand by the Mosb Worshipful Grand Master on such terms as His Royal Highness may consider to be consistent with the honour of the Grand Lodge of England , and ' with just

consideration for those Lodges which may desire to retain their connection with it , the Most Worshipful Grand Master , His Royal Highness the Prince . of Wales , has been pleased to authorise a communication being made to the Grand Lodge of New Zealand to the following effect : —

That he is prepared fully to recognise the Grand Lodge of New Zealand , and to enter into full and fraternal relations with it as an Independent Sovereign Masonic Body , on the following

understanding—That the Gra , nd Lodge of New Zealand-shall in future be the recognised Grand Lodge for the colony , including all the five districts heretofore holding under the English Constitution , and all other parts of the colony .

The Most Worshipful Grand Master will in future grant no warrant for a new Lodge within any of such districts or elsewhere within the colony of New Zealand . The Grand Lodge of New Zealand will nob , nor will its Grand Master , grant any new warrant for any Lodge out of the five districts referred to , or the colony .

The Most Worshipful Grand Master will give authority to all Lodges at present holding under the Grand Lodge of England to meet and decide in open Lodge whether or not they desire to tender their allegiance to the Graud Lodge of

New Zealand ; such meeting to be specially convened on not less thau 21 dajs' notice , for the purpose of determining this question ; and no other business save that , and , if requisite , of disposing of the assets and property of the Lodge , shall be considered at the meeting .

A majority of two-thirds in number of the Brethren present shall be required to enable the Lodge to tender its allegiance to the Grand Lodge of New Zealand ; all other questions at the meeting shall be decided by a majority of - the Brethren present in the usual way .

The result of the meeting , with copies of the resolutions passed thereat , shall be forthwith sent ( in duplicate ) , verified by the signature of the Master in the chair , and countersigned by the Secretary , to the District Grand Secretary , and to the Grand Secretary at Freemasons' Hall , London .

In case the Lodge shall resolve to tender its adherence to the Grand Lodge of New Zealand , the Warrant of Constitution must be forthwith returned to the Grand

Secretary for cancellation . The Lodge has full power to dispose of its property and records as tho majority decides , but the Mosfc Worshipful the Grand Master strongly recommends that the Lodge minutebooks and the Treasurer ' s books and accounts shall remain

wifch the Lodge under whichever Sovereign Body it elects to continue , in order that the continuity of the Lodge and the rights of members dependent on their being subscribing members should not be imperilled for want of these records on any future occasion .

The Most Worshipful the Grand Master will be prepared to consider with favour any application for the return of a cancelled warrant that the Lodge may wish to retain as a memorial of its former connection with the Grand Lodge of England .

No second meeting of a Lodge which has come fco a resolution to continue under the Grand Lodge of England can be held without fche special leave of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master .

The Most Worshipful the Grand Master will consider any district in which fewer than three Lodges may continue under their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England , to be ipso facto dissolved ; but , subject hereto , the Lodges under the English Constitution , both private aud the District Graud