Australia.

The first step taken by the committee immediately after their appointment AA'as to elect a chairman , when Bro . M'Clure Avas selected to fill that office , and at the same time requested to at once place himself in communication Avith tiie Prov . G . M . ' s , Avith the view of obtaining their consent to a circular being addressed to the lodges under their jurisdiction , for the purpose of ascertaining the wishes of the brethren generally with regard to the important question of establishing a Grand Lodge in

Victoria . It being the wish of the committee that any action taken by them should be strictly in accordance with Masonic rule , and with the respect they Avere desirous of evincing to the heads of the fraternity in this colony , a letter , of which the following is a copv , Avas forwarded by the chairman to each of the ProA ' . G . M . ' s . —

" Duke of Roths-ay Hotel , Elizabeth-street , Melbourne , April 20 th , 1 SG 3 . "To Bro . J . T . Smith , M . L ' . A ., Provincial Grand Master I . C . in Victoria . "Right AVorshipful Sir and Brother , —I have the honour to inform you that at a largo and influential meeting of the Craft held at the above hotel on Saturday evening last , a resolution was unanimously carried ' That it Avould be desirable and for

the best interests of the Craft in this colony , if the existing Masonic bodies Avere united under one Constitution , to be hereafter called the Grand Lodge of Victoria . ' " By the desire of the committee appointed by the meeting to carry out the object expressed in the resolution , I have the honour , on their behalf , to respectfully request your permission to address a circular to the various lodges under your jurisdictionfor the purpose of ascertaining the Avishes oftho brethren

, , generally with respect to this important question . " I am further requested to inform you that the brethren , in approaching this subject , have not been actuated by any feelings hostile to yourself or the other gentlemen holding the high and honourable position of Prov . G . Masters of the fraternity in Victoria , their only desire being , if possible , to heal the differences Avhich unhappily exist amongst the different constitutions ,

and to make Masonry practically Avhat it professes to be theoretically—one bond of universal brotherhood . " Under such circumstances , I trust the proceedings already initiated will meet Avith your approval , and that you will favour me Avith a reply to this letter to enable me to lay the same before the committee at their meeting on Thursday next . " 1 might state that a similar circular has been forwarded to the ProvGMof tho lish and Scotch Constitutions

. .. Eng . I have the honour to remain , Right AA orshipfnl Sir and Brother , ( Signed ) " RICHD . M'Crura ; , Chairman of Committee . " To this letter hut one reply , from the Prov . G . AI . of the I . C , was received by the date mentioned : — "Melbourne , 21 st April , 1863 .

"To Richard M'Clure , Esq ., & c "Dear Sir and Brother , —I have received your letter of the 20 th April , intimating that at a large and influential meeting of the Craft held on Saturday last , it was unanimously carried that it Avould be desirable and for the best interests of the Craft in this colony if the existing Masonic bodies were united under one Constitution , and intimating the desire of the committee appointed by the meeting to carry out that object ; and asking

my permission for your addressing a circular to the various lodges under the Irish Constitution , for the purpose of ascertaining the wishes of the brethren generally on the question . " In reply I have to state that I cannot give my assent to your request in any manner or way which might even appear to imply that I concur in such resolution . At the same time , I desire to acknowledge the courtesy which has prompted your

letter to me in the first instance . " I accept your assurance that it is out of no hostile feelings to myself or the Prov . G . M . ' s in Victoria that this question is now agitated . I am , however , at a loss to understand the differences which , you say , unhappily exist amongst the different Constitutions . No doubt a spirit of rivalry may be said to existbut whilst such lias been the caseI am happy to say that

, , the brethren of our Constitution haA-e always extended the right band of fellowship to members of English and Scotch Lodges visiting us , and have always endeavoured to cultivate such feeling . " The only departure from this brotherly feeling [ has unhappily been caused by the visits of some brethren , whose visits ,

it appears to me , ii-ere calculated and seemingly designed tosoiv disaffection in the minds of the members towards tbe Grand Lodge from ivhom Ave derive our authority . "You express a trust that the proceedings will meet Avith my approval ; I regret that I cannot approve . I see no reason to justify our giving up the connection with the Grand Lodge of Ireland , nor can I join Avith you in opinion that the establishment of a Grand Lodge will tend to make Masons practically

Avhat they profess to be theoretically—one bond of universal brotherhood . 2 N o doubt this is a ' consummation most devoutly to be wished , ' but is not to be attained , in my humble opinion , by the means proposed—a severance of a connection infinitely stronger than the proposed union , Avhich to my mind AVOUUI -produce weakness , not strength , and would sever instead of uniting . " I trust I may be Avell understood . I rejoice in ovrr

connection and union as a part of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , a lodge ever anxious to meet our wishes and extend our usefulness , and acknowledging all our members as of equal status here or at home . "My fixed determination is , to stand hy and to own and oive allegiance to tho Grand Lodge of Ireland , and to hold its patent of authority as Prov . G . M . so long as one lodge shall stand faithful to its allegiance .

" After upwards of twenty years' connection Avith the Craft in this colony , and having , I trust I may say Avithout saying too much , exerted myself for very many years to advance its interests , I A-iew Avith deep concern and regret the resolutions at which many of the brethren have arrived . I still indulge the . hope that the various lodges in Victoria , giving this matter full and calm considerationthey will scarcelbe induced to concur

, y in your resolution ; particularly , as I trust it will be sliOAvn thatA'ery man } -, if not a large majority of the lodges will be happily in blissful ignorance of the differences Avhich you say are unhappily existing amongst the different Constitutions , and that the connection of our Constitutions with the Grand Lodge of the mother country will long continue . "Ho doubt , in the course of years , when Masonry shall have

advanced aud extended its influence , the consideration of tho Grand Lodge Avill gain attention . The present time , in my opinion , is premature . Under no circumstances , in no capacity , is it my intention to form one as a member of a Grand Lodge ; and should every member of the Irish Lodges Avitbdraw from their present Constitution , I shall then return the patent of appointment , and for ever resign all connection with the Order , Avith the deepest regret and compunction of consciencethat

, either I have been unfaithful to the Grand Lodge or Avanting in ability to show the Craft the benefits accruing from our union Avith , ancl forming a component part of so illustrious a body , presided over for now half-a-century by the illustrious Duke of Leinster . "In conclusion , I fondly indulge the hope that the Irish Masons of Victoria will be found still Avarmly attached to their

Constitution , and will not give up a position they IIOAV hold for the poor substitute of a Colonial Grand Lodge , wanting as yet in the illustrious men to give it a name and character , such as is IIOAV Avorld-wide and respected throughout the universe . " I have the honour to be , Sir and Brother , vouvs fraternally , "J . T . SMITH , Prov . G . M . " After a careful consideration of Bro . Smith ' s letter , the

committee arrived at the conclusion that it contained nothing whatever to prohibit them addressing the lodges under that Right AVorshipful brother's jurisdiction , and as one of the fundamental principles of the Craft is that any body of Masons may make laws or discuss any questions for governing their ov ,-n proceedings , provided they do not infringe upon the ancient landmarks of the Order , they considered that the course about to be adopted by them Avas not in any way subversiA'e of Masonic

rule , or calculated in the slightest degree to lessen the authority or the allegiance Ave owe to the rulers of the fraternity in this country . Under these circumstance ^ the committee felt no hesitation whatever in addressing , through their chairman , a circular to the AVorshipfnl Masters of various lodges throughout the colony . Accompanying the circular Avas the following form , to he signed by those brethren AVIIO Avere favourably disposed to the

same : — " AVe , tbe undersigned , officers and brothers of Lodge , ^ o . , believing that the establishing of a Grand Lodge in Victoria by tho union of the existing Constitutions , Avould be for the best interests of the Craft in this country , hereby