Australia.

Bro . ROSE wished to support the resolution , and thought every true brother would do the same . The difficulty of having three Constitutions does not arise in any other place . Here there is always a great deal of jealousy with regard to the way the Constitutions stood , but be maintained such jealousy should not exist—all should be Masons . The D . Prov . G . M . under the Irish Constitution does not take rank under the English ; now he thought no matter what Constitution conferred rank , that

rank should be acknowledged by all other Constitutions , but this never can be the case while England frames her own law—Ireland frames her own law—Scotland frames her own law- —but this abuse will cease when Victoria frames her laws . The CHAIRMAN , in reply to Bro . Prince : The resolution was intended to test the feelings of the Craft , whether they would merge all difference of constitutions into the constitution of Victoria ; andin framing that resolutionthe committee have

, , deteimined to act legitimately ; but if the heads of the Craft were unfavourable thereto , other steps could be taken ; he would now put the resolution . Carried nem . con . Bro . BRADSHAW proposed : — "That the following brethren , with power to add to their number , be appointed as a committee for the purpose of carrying out the object expressed in

the previous resolution : Bros . M'Clure , Crowell , Levick , Barnes , Ellis , Sydes , Reed , Rose , AVardlaw , Johnson , Thomson , James , Stokes , Bradshaw , and Walsh . " He could not propose the resolution without remark . AA'hen this movement began , some time ago , he wished the three Constitutions to be consulted simultaneously ; and he thought that if such was then clone they would now bo working under the Grand Lodge of Victoria . One circumstance always bore on his mind , that the brethren

had nothing to show for their labours for past years : they had no school to educate their young , nor asylum to maintain their old and infirm . In Dublin , the Craft supported a . school where thirty-five female orphans , and a larger number of boys , were taken care of and educated ; and this was done , not as a charity , but as a duty , and it is very well known that several educated in that school had risen and obtained respectable positions in life ; here we cannot do this , as our funds must be sent home , from whence we derive no "benefit . Some persons think

our lodge funds are wasted in eating and drinking . Ho hoped that stigma would be removed . He called on his brethren to join heart and hand in the movement . He was adverse to their resolving themselves into a Grand Lodge . He would advise asking the concurrence of the three Provincial Grand Masters , and through them the three Grand Lodges of home , and ask them to acknowledge a sister Grand Lodge of Victoria . If this was done a briht future would be before them . In

cong clusion , he would entreat the brethren not to put their hand on the plough , and then look back to their own disgrace . Bro . LEVICK had the honour to be chairman when a meeting was held to take into consideration the desirability of forming a Grand Lodge of Victoria , and regretted that the meeting then was not open to the Craft or they would have gained the desired end . He referred to Canada , which for a long time

was neglected by the Masonic authorities at home , until at last the Canadian Masons did not ask for but took their independence , ancl the result was found to be that the number of lodges increased in a short time from 50 to 150 . Further , he would state that the Irish and Scotch Constitutions at once acknowledged the independence of their Canadian brethren . The English Constitution was more tardy , but ultimately the

English Grand Master , in a most graceful manner , acknowledged them as a sister Grand Lodg . He had held the position of Provincial Grand Secretary for some time , ancl the amount remitted to the Grand Lodge up to the time of establishing a Provincial Grand Lodge , and whilst he held office , amounted to £ 1200 . If that sum was sunk in a school for the children of Masons , the brethren might well imagine that sum would be

but the beginning of a great undertaking . In London the Craft maintained a large number of children of both sexes and did not educate them for servants , but maintained them until they were apprenticed to useful occupations , and never permitted their orphan children to wear the badge of charity . At Croydon the Craft had established an asylum sixty-four distressed Masons and the wives and widows of Masons . Here in Victoriawith

, the number of Lodges in existence and the numerous attendants on those lodges , a large fund could be raised . If instead of sending the required fees home they were retained for the benefit of those in whom the brethren were interested here , he had much pleasure in seconding the resolution .

Bro . ELLIS thought the brethren had mads up their minds to go heart and soul into the present movement . It now rested with the committee to adopt the proper mode of carrying it out . He thought when the plans of the committee were matured that the brethren should be called together to to affirm their proceedings . This might be also done by submitting to the various lodges the arrangements which might be made by the committee ; and he hoped by the mail for the

month of May some plan would be forwarded to the three Grand Lodges . He agreed with the previous speakers , and thought no attempt should be made to override the authorities placed over them . This was not a hole-and-corner meeting , all the lodges and constitutions were well represented , and he felt that 'in years to come each brother present might look buck with pride to the action that night taken to form a Grand Lodge of Victoria .

Bro . CHAS . WHITE moved an amendment , " That the committee should not have power to add to their numbers . " In the multitude of councillors there was folly ; the three constitutions also should be equally represented . The proposed committee consisted of six English to four Irish and three Scotch Masons ; in fact one of the numbers was an hermaphrodite , a member of any and every constitution . He would also call the attention of the chairman and brethren to the fact that the W . M . ' s of

lodges state that they will not do anything to compromise the constitution under which they act ; and , therefore , all the membeis of the committee must be P . M . 's . The CHAIEMAN explained that tho names of the committee had been selected from those who had signed the requisition calling the meeting , and that only four Scotch P . M . 's appeared on that list . The committee could add another . He also thought if any argument was wanting to show the necessity of

a United Grand Lodge of Victoria , this very dispute would supply it . Bro . HALE , while supporting tho motion , would wish to see the names of Bros . Catlin , I . C ., AAlilsh , S . C ., Crews , E . G ., and Chas . White , E . G ., added to the number . Bro . REED very much regretted that Bro . AA'hite broached the subject of the difference of the Constitutions in the formation of the committee on behalf of the Scotch Masons . He

would say they were satisfied whether the whole committee . were chosen even from one Constitution , ancl that they at presentknew no difference in Constitution , but hoped all would work for the general good . The AV . MASTER , if St . Clair Lodge , declined acting on thecommittee , as he could do nothing detrimental to the Constitution under which he acted yet he must say that he concurred in the movement .

The CHAIRMAN explained that no resolution was before the meeting affecting any Constitution , as the meeting had resolved to ask the assistance of the heads of the three Constitutions in carrying out their desire to form a Grand Lodge of Victoria . The W . Brother then withdrew his objection . He thought a small committee would work better than a large one , ancl he would suggest that a Scotch mason should be added to the list . Bro . BROTHERTON thought it desirable that the committee

should have power to add to their numbers , as a great opposition may arise to the movement , and if the committee could not increase their number they could not ask the assistance of thecountry lodges . Bro . ROSE , in support of the original motion , thought the committee should have power to increase their numbers , or the country lodges miht say they were excluded from all share in

g the movement . Bro . M'GAAN thought it would be requisite to express what number should constitute a quorum , to make the acts of the committee valid . Bro . PRINCE thought when a subject of such great importance would have to be considered by the committeee , not less than seven should be considered a quorum , he would , therefore ,

move that seven to form a quorum , be added to the original resolution . The amendment of Bro . AVhite , that the committee had nopower to add to their number , but that all should be appointed that night , was put , and thaee voted for it . The original resolution with Bro . Prince ' s addition was then put and carried . The CHAIRMAN said he had another matter to bring before the meeting , that was with respect to that vulgar commodity , money ; he thought the brethren present would defray the expenses .