GOOD TEMPLARS.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 14, 29 May 1875, Page 3

GOOD TEMPLARS.

'We have to acknowledge receipt from Mr S. Brooking, G. W. S,, of a pamphlet containing the Journal of proceedings of the first session of the Grand Lodge of New Zealadd, north, of the Independent Order of Good Templars, held at the Temperance Hull, at Auckland, on Tuesday, the 2Gth January, 1675. The report explains the nature of the Grand Lodge, and shows the position wliiclrGood Templarism occupies in this part of New Zealand. In the address by the Rev Mr Edger, he shows that greater precision in the transaction of business is required than exists in some lodges, that a more, effective political organisation is required, having the following objects in view: Ist, —To watch the operation of the present Licensing Act, and, when necessary, appeal to some higher autority to ensure their just adminstration ; 2nd, —To combine the order .more thoroughly for the return to Parliament and to municipal boards of such men only as are favourable to the suppression of the liquor traffic; and 3rd, —To see to the thorough revising of the electoral rolls, lie also urges the necessity of providing first-class Good Templar accommodation houses in all centres of population where there is a chance of rostraning or abolishing or keeping out the liquor traffic ; and he also urges the necessity of having a newspaper established, to represent the order. The balance-sheet published shows a credit balance of £lO P.)s. sp l. The Olive Branch Lodge, Taranaki, sent the following notice of motion to the Grand Lodge :—“ That it is in the opinion of this Grand Lodge desirable that every lodge of the 1.0. G.T. in the North Island which sits within seven miles of any railway station, should present a petition to the Minister of Public Works, requesting him not to grant a license for the sale of alcoholic drinks in the refreshment room at the station, under the TTth section of the Licensing Act Amendment Act, and that a committee of five be appointed to draw up a petition.” The next meeting of the Grand Lodge is to be, held at New Plymouth, on the second Tuesday of January, 187 G. There are now some GO different lodges in the North Island, with a total membership of between 2,800 and 3,000. This is a rather small proportion out of a present total papulation, European and native, of about 150,000. —“ Cross.”