ORANGEMEN IN SESSION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17105, 29 March 1921, Page 9

ORANGEMEN IN SESSION.

GRAND LODGE MEETING. The Grand Lodge of tho Loyal Orange Institution of Now Zealand resumed its annual Session in tho Orange Hall, Worcester street, yesterday, at 9 a.m., the Right Worshipful Grand Master, Bro. A. Noble, presiding. Following tho formal business, the reports of the several committees were received and dealt with. The report of tho special committee appointed to deal with the suggestions contained in tho Grand Master's address was presented by R/W.P.G.M. Bro. R. J. Liddell. It recommended, inter alia, the presentation of _ some tangible mark of the appreciation of the New-Zealand brethren of tho valuablo services rendered to tho Empire by Sir Edward and Lady Carson, and of the sacrifices they have mado on that behalf, Tho committee further recommended approval of the action of tho Grand Executive in presenting an address to the Prince of Wales, and that a copy of the address bo embodied in the official report of Grand Lodge session; that the suggestion regarding the presentation of au address to the Governor-General, Viscount_ Jellieoe, be adopted; that the question of propaganda bo left in the hands of the Grand Executive; that an Advisory Board be set up in Wellington, whoso duties it shall bo to confer with the Right Worshipful Grand Master on matters affecting the L.O.L. Institution ; that the Grand Secretary communicate with lodges holding property regarding the advisability of their taking advantage of the recent; amendment in the Incorporated Societies Act. The report was adopted, its recommendations being agreed to. It was decided to proceed with tho testimonial to Sir Edward and Lady Carson by way of a shilling fund, to which contributions should be invited from every member of the Order in New Zealand; to send an engrossed letter to his Excellency tho Governor-General, conveying assurances of loyalty on behalf of.tho members of the Order, and their appreciation of his Excellency's appointment as his Majesty's representative in New Zealand, as also of his Excellency'j services to the Empiro. The Finance Committee's report, recommending the setting apart of a definite sum of money for the furnishing on a subsidv basis of now lodges, etc., was adopted with othor reports presented by the several committees. The remainder of the morning session was occupied in dealing with notices of motion and business intiriia,Tely connected with the working of tho lodges, the election of officers for the ensuing year taking place in tho after'noon, with the following result:—lt.W. Grand Master, Bro. the Rev. G. Knowles Smith; R.W. D. Grand Master, Bro. the Rev. F. G. Cumming; Grand Chaplain, Rev, G. K. Aitken; Grand Secretary, Bro. E. N. Budden; Grand Treasurer, Bro. J. McFarlane; G. Foreman of Committee, Bro. F. Chambers; G. Senior Deacon, Bro. G. Tavlor; G. Junior Deacon, Bro. S. Hewitt; Inside Tyler, G. Agnow; Outside Tvler, Quartermaine; Executive Committee, Bros. .Middleton, Paton, Petherick, Donald, and Dickson, M.P.; Grand Committee, Bros. Bilby and A presentation was made by the R.*W. Grand Master Bro. A. Noble, to Bro. H. Bishop, on behalf of Wellington delegates and members of Grand Lodge, and a suitable reply was made by the recipient. . . yarious Resolutions. Resolutions dealing with public questions- were carried at tho <cvening se> It was resolved: "That tho G.O.L. of New Zealand extends its hearty congratulations to the Primo Minister, the lit. Hon. W. F. Massey, P.G., won tho express invitation extended to him by the Primo Minister of Great Britain to "attend tho meetings of tho Imperial Council in London, the tribute thus paid being at'once flattering to Mr Massoy and agreeable to the members of this Grand Lodge." It has been suggested that at the Imperial Council the Irish question would be raised for tho purpose of consulting the representatives of the Dominions thereon. The Grand Lodge therefore expresses the hope that the lit. lion* W. F. Mas-icy will unequivocally oppose any concession to Irish rebels that would weaken or disintegrate tho Empire or create in our midst a body of Irish aliens; and, further, this Grand Lodge trusts that Mr Massey will majce it plain that the action of the-British Government in undertaking a policy of repression toward the rebels in Ireland has the support of all loyal citizens in this Dominion, and that the Cromwellian plan should .be thoroughly and efficientlyap-plir-d without regard to tho organised vituperation of sections of the British and foreign Press. The heartiest good wishes of the Grand Lodge are offered for the success of tho visit, and safe return of tho Prime Minister."

it was agreed that members should be urged to openly practise the principles of Orangeism in order to bring about increased loyalty to the State, and a more complete recognition of the duties and responsibilities of citizenship on the part of the general public. With regard to loyalty in schools the following motion was carried: "That with a view to inculcating the principles of loyalty to the. Empire in the children of this Dominion; Grand Lodge urges the Minister of Education to mako provision whero6y*the Union Jack shall be. flown in all "State school grounds, the children trained in the practico of saluting the fla<i, tho sinking of the National Anthem, and in a more complete understanding of the patriotic ideals they represent by addrosses delivered on all jjatriotic occa-_

sions, and in the 'School Journal 1 ."

It was decided to congratulate tho Government on withdrawing railway privileges from Roman Catholic school teachers, and to urge phat railway privileges enjoyed by.pupils of sectarian schools should be withdrawn.

It was resolved that the Minister of Education be requested to tako steps to make British history a compulsory subject for junior and senior scholarships and Public Service examinations, ami to ensure that tho text books arc not expurgated to jsuifc the enemies of Empire. A resolution was parsed deprecating "tho advocacy of Bolshevism amongst a certain class of tho workers of New Zealand, and while convinced that tho great majority of trado unionists havo no sympathy 'with Sovietism, Grand Lodge draws public attention to the very real dangers that may follow their unchecked teachings and propaganda, and tho circulation of the revolutionary literature* that is being imported into the country. In this connexion it notes tho very clo;so affinity between the revolutionary labour Press and the official organ of the Roman Catholic Church, the 'New Zealand Tablet'." A resolution was adopted expressing tho regret of Grand Lodge that publicity should have been given through the Dunedin agent of the Press Association to a • protest "made by the Roman Catholic Bishop and clergy of the Otago Diocese, assembled m Dunedin, on Friday,-January 28th, and since repeated at' the St, Patrick's Day gatherings throughout the Dominion, at which Grand Lodge regrets to note the Sinn Fein colours were openly displayed and disloyal speeches _ made, against the alleged 'policy of frightfulness,' said to have been 'connived at, encouraged, and apparently organised by the English Government.' " It was resolved to congratulate and thank the Government, the Leader of tho -Legislative Council, and t)he majority of members of both Houses of Parliament who voted for the Marriage Act Amendment Act. Tho attention of the Minister of Internal Affairs and the.Minister of Justice was drawn to an alleged disregard of the law on the part of the Roman Church in conducting a raffle wthen permission had been refused "by the Minister of Internal Affairs. A resolution -was passed heartily approving of "the legislation which seeks to safeguard the health and safety of workers and the appointment of officials dharged with the duty of enforcing the observance of the aforesaid legislation, but submits that no plea of religious or sectarian interests should be permitted to close the doors of any institution wherein labour is employed to the visits of officials whose duty it is to see that proper provisions, conditions, and rates of pay prevail, or that any person is improperly engaged or detained in such institutions, "?.nd requests' Cabinet to give attention to the necessary alterations to tihe law." The installation of the newly-elected officers Tvas conducted by R.W.G/M. Bro. Noble, assisted by D.W.G.M. Rev. Bro. Knowles Smith.

At the supper adjournment the R.W.G.M. expressed,to tho ladies tho thanks of the members of Grand Lodgo for refreshments provided diking the sessions. Mrs Judd, president. or the Ladies' Committee, replied.i expressing the pleasure that the members of the committee had had in entertaining the visitors to Christchurch. Tho sessions were concluded in due form. •