The Masonic Mirror.

to the powers of the Board of General Purposes , so far as colonial matters were concerned . ( Hear , hear . ) That observation fully answers the objection that we are creatine an inyperium in imperio . We are setting up concurrent jurisdiction , it is said hut this is not uncommon in this country , and the resolution which is to be moved this evening by the Rev . Bro . Portal , will put an end to any objection which may arise under that head . The colonial affairs will be placed entirely under the jurisdiction of this Colonial Board . I will tell the Brethren who say

that this Board is not needed , that there are grave and serious reasons why it should be established , but which , for the sake of saving time , I will not now enter into . ( Hear , hear . ) There has been gross neglect and great inefficiency . ( Hear , hear . ) There have been great evils—evils which are even now crying aloud for remedy ; and if it rested with anybody to put an end to those evils , it rested with the Board of General Purposes . ( Hear , hear . ) I have every respect for every officer of Grand Lodge , and for every one of its members , but I will say that there has been gross neglect in colonial matters , and that no measures to

prevent those evils have been taken by the parties by whom they ought to have been taken , viz ., the Board of General Purposes . ( Hear , hear . ) That Board having failed to fulfil its duty so long , does not deserve to retain any longer the power of dealing with colonial matters ( hear , hear ) ; we have , therefore , bestowed those powers upon the new ( Colonial ) Board , which will use them efficiently . The time for mere suavity of manners on such points has passed away . ( Hear ^ Jiear . ) We must have efficiency ( hear , hear ) , and not mere politeness , at any cost . ( Hear , hear . ) I think , therefore , that it is right and proper that the resolutions passed at last Grand Lodge should be now confirmed in their entirety . " ( Applause . )

Bro . Aria next attempted to address Grand Lodge , of course in support of the Colonial Board , but he was put clown by cries of " Time , time , " and other marks of impatience . The Rev . Bro . Portal : " Brethren , if there is no one else who will rise to sav that " Bro . Dobie : "M . W . Sir , I rise to order . I beg to refer the Rev . Brother to the Book of Constitutions , page 66 , where he will find that any Brother speaking in Grand Lodge must address himself to the M . W . the Grand Master . " ( Hear , hear , laughter , cheers , and cries of "Divide , divide ! " ) The Rev . Bro . Portal , having complied with this formality , said : et Having now the permission of the Chair , I shall not be cried down by these calls for a division from the Brethren on my left . The Brother who opened this debate said , that inasmuch as the Grand Secretary had resigned his functions , there was no occasion for the appointment of this special Board to consider the Colonial

question . Now , if this objection holds good , we must suppose that the whole of the blame of the neglect and delay rests with the Grand Secretary , which I , for one , am prepared flatly to deny . ( Bear , hear . ) In despatches from Canada ., which I received only yesterday , and which , if it please Grand Lodge , I shall be happy to read , I find that unless something be promptly done , the whole Prov . Grand Lodge of Canada will secede in a body , and a petition is now circulating amongst

them , asking the Grand Lodge of England to sanction them as an independent body . "—[ A Voice : " So much the better . " ]— " A Brother says , ' So much the better ; ' but I say , so much the worse ( hear , hear , and loud cheers from all parts oi : Grand Lodge ) ; and it is because I think that the Grand Lodge of England should continue to exercise supreme power throughout our dominions , that 1 wish it to consent to the appointment of this Board , which will keep it cognizant of what in passing between ourselves and the colonies . "

The amendment was put and lost , and the minutes were then confirmed amidst loud cheering ; it being just a quarter to ten o ' clock when the business had reached this stage .

NOMINATION OE CttAND MASTER EOR THE ENSUING YEAR . Bro . Roxburgh nominated the Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland as Most Worshipful Grand Master for the ensuing year . In the presence of his lordship he would not say much in his praise . Tiny all knew how ably he had ruled the Order during a long course of years . ( Hear . )