SUPREME GRAND LODGE OF AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14980, 29 May 1914, Page 2

SUPREME GRAND LODGE OF AUSTRALIA.

FIRST BIENNIAL MEETING.

(PBESB ASSOCIATION TELKGBAM.)

DUNEDIN, May 27. The first biennial meeting of the Supreme Grand Lodge of Australasia, U.A.0.0., commenced to-day. The delegates were welcomed to the city by the Mayor. The chairman (Vice-president Bro< Beauchamp) made feeling reference to the death of the Supreme Grand President, Bro. J. J. Brenan (Victoria), and. a motion of sympathy to his relatives was passed; also a motion of sympathy to the Grand Lodge of Victoria/ The report of Bro. Brenan's visit to the International Grand Lodge, which met at London, was read by the secretary and received. In connexion with the question of the status, privileges, etc., of the Royal Arch Chapter throughout Australasia, and the "uniformity of ceremony of ritualistic work, it was decided that the status referred to had to be denned. The ritual ws& submitted to a committee consisting of Bros. Beauchamp, Barry, j Shields, and Steel, to draw up a report for presentation at J a later stage. A motion, notice of which was grven, was approved:—"That the Grand Lodge considers that Tamor Lodge (Launceston) should bo under Tasmanian Jurisdiction; failing this, the Grand Lodge of Victoria should sever its connexion with the control of the branch under discussion." - . A motion from the Grand Lodge, oi Otago and Southland, "That the subject of inter-State clearance bo considered with the purpose of making the contributions charged at initiation the standard payable wherever a member may deposit his clearance, and to atom the principle of a surrender value for all clearances from one jurisdiction to another," was withdrawn, it being pointed <nit that great difficulties arose in getting actuarial balances-in Aiistralia. _ ~ , The election of officers resulted:— Grand president, .Bro. *»™ ha £P (West Australia); vice-president, Bro. Richardson (South Australia); secretary, Bro. Barry (New South Wales); treasurer, Bro. Listen (Victona)^

The Druids' Conference closed this morning. , ~ It was decided to create-the new office of Supreme Grand Guardian and P.G.P. Bro7 Shields, of Tasmania, was appointed. ~ . , An amendment in the reciprocal a"Teement was considered and it was resolved that in future subscriptions be sent direct to lodge secretaries. The next meeting has been fixed for September, 1916, at Perth, West Australia.