ORANGE GRAND LODGH.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15871, 10 April 1917, Page 4

ORANGE GRAND LODGH.

AXNTAL SESSION. (srzciAi. To "tut i-reis.") DIWKj.HN. April 9. At the annual ni(rui : ; of the Orange Grand Lodge tho Grandmaster said that tho executive had passed a resolution of congratulations to the editor of tho Christchurch ''I'rc.s.s'' in connexion with the controversy with the Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, regarding tho appeal nn behalf of the Dublin Distress Fund. The lodgo carried a resolution expressing their appreciation of the action of the Mayor of Christchurch n.nd those councillors who voted with him in their endeavour to prevent discussion in tho Council on the liomo .Rulo question, which subject they considered did not come within the proi'inco of the civic authorities. It was decided: — "That the .lodge draws the attention of tho -Acting-Prime Minister to the intensely objectionable refcrencc of shrines and crucifixes contincd in letters of sympathy sent out by tho High Commissioner to relatives of fallen soldiers. Such letters are an insult to tho faith of Protestants, and an. acute hurt to the feelings of those whose sons havo fallen in the struggle for Empire and to their faith. AYe request that Sir James Allen will at once disavow the attempt to identify the doctrine and practico of Romanism with the Government of New Zealand.','

'That tho attention of the ActingPrime Minister be drawn to the fact that a custom is being established by tho Roman Catholic authorities to celebrate Mass in the public places of the Dominion —e.g., Auckland and Invercargill. Tho Mass is deeply objectionable to all Protestants as an un-Chris-tian superstition which has on it the blood of thousands of our Protestant forbears, and tho continuance of this custom of public Mass is likely to lead to riot and bloodshed. We therefore ask that the Government will take such steps as will prevent what js little short of an outrage upon Protestantsentiment." (PRESS ASSOCIATION* TELEGRAM.) DUNEDIN, April 9. The annual meeting of th© Grand I/odgc of tho New Zealand .Loyal Orange Institution was resumed today. A resolution was passed noting with satisfaction that Mr Massey, during bis visit Home, refused to be drawn into tho Home Rule controversy, and emphatically protesting against Sir I Joseph Ward, while representing the Dominion, associating himself with I that controversy. Another motion was passed assuring tho Minister of Education of the Ixxlgc's profound agreement with the decision of Cabinet to maintain free, undenominational education in New Zealand, and expressing sympathy with tho Minister in the attacks made on h-ra. Still another resolution protested against the presence at the Vatican of a representative of the Court of St. James. The following office-bearers have so far been elected for the ensmng year:— 11.W.G.M., Bro. Lidell (Tiniarti); GJD.M., Bro. Hay (Timaru); Grand Chaplain, Rev. tilphiert (Te Awamutu); Grand Foreman of Committee. Bro. J. S. Dickson (Parnell): Grand Sccrctary, Bro. Leaman (Wellington;; Grand Senior Deacon, Bro. Davidson (Hastings); Grand Junior Deacon, Bro. Molroso (Waihi); Grand T.vlcr, Bro. Lyns (Duncdin). There arc several other offices to be filled, and as soon as the list is completed the installation ceremony will take pace. The delegates from other centres leave for their homes to-morrow.