ORANGE INSTITUTION. ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. Auckland, July 13.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 385, 17 July 1889, Page 4

ORANGE INSTITUTION. ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. Auckland, July 13.

As is the custom among Orangemen all over the globe to celebrate tho Battle of the Boyne on the 12th of July in each year — some by processions and monster meetings, where all ranks and conditions ot men aie represented — from the peer to the peasant ; some by soirees and concerts, and some by more varied amusements— the Orangemen of Auckland celebrated tho occasion (tho 199 th anniversary) in their usual way by a soiree and concerts in the Foresters' Rail, last evening. Tho building was crowded, several rnan-oi-war's-men adding to the number. The tea tables were presided over by the ladies of the Lily ot the Valley Orange Lodge (female lodge), who donnod the orthodox, orange and blue regalia, and the tea had to be served out in relays. The soiree having been got over, tho general meeting took place at eight o'clock, Bro. W. Sherson, G.M., in the chair. There were present : Revs. Scott West (Presbyterian), Simmonds (Wesleyan), Smith and Laycock (Primitive), Bros. Baker (of Wellington), Fairell, Riggs, Little, Johnston, Boone, Seabrook, JMcMaster, and others. The most noticeable part of the meeting was the varied pieces, coming as they did from English, Irish and Scotch performers. jSJiss Fortzer presided at the piano. The programme was a long one, and several pieces weie omitted, the most attractive part of which was the Scotch bagpipes, on which were discouised not only Scotch but Irish airs. This instrument was ably handled by Seigeant Baillie, of H.M.s. Orlando, who was enthusiastically applauded throughout. Mr Menziesdeservesgreatpraiseforhissingingjbeing encored twice, the best piece of winch was Roderick Mac Alpine. Miss Gardiner sustained her icputation by her recitation of the Battle of the Boyne. In fact, all the pieces were of high meiit and were highly appreciated by the audience. The Chairman in a brief speech introduced theßev. Scott West. The Rev. Mr Y\ est delivered an amusing and interesting speech, the first, he said, he had ever made at. any Oiange meeting, lie, as a Scotchman, had always heard a great deal about Ireland, mostly alarming news, wars and rumouis of wars, and some ot his countrymen placed Orangemen and Fenians on the tame level as most troublesome creatures. He referred to the great work done by the Orango Institution, which had fulfilled in tioublous times, and was now fulfilling moie peacefully bub quite as effectively, true bervico similar to that of the old Scottish Covenanters or the English Roundheads of Oliver Cromwell. To his mind Scotland could do without its much-pn/edConfessionof Faith, andeven the Shorter Catechism, if only she uosscssed such an institution. The bearing Orang-oism had on the politics of the day was very great, and was increasing with regard to Home questions of moment. Inter alia Mr West remarked the very great influence women were able to exercise in important political movements, instancing the powertul Primro-c League of England, and beseeching the Jadies to be \ery careful in seeing that they bestowed their undoubted influence in favour of a right object. The moral power excercised by Orangeism was a great factor in favour of its de&ired ends, and now that the days of Christianity - spreading" wars were ovei, the force of moral suasion would be the chief means of inculcating the principles of truth and justice, which were the aim of the founders of the order. The spiritual power of Orangeism tended towards a higher, truer and more sinceie walk in life. The Rev. A. J. Smith spoke on the favourable points and objects of his beloved Orange cause. He thought that Orangemen should not be content with their system as it stood, but at all times be prepared to adopt any suggestions made with a view to the good of the institution. There should be some general knowledge and appreciation of the noble objects and gieat principles of the cause, beyond the mere celebrating of the Orange anniversary, marching in procession and cheering to the echo speeches that took their fancy. Orangeism was steadily growing, and as a proof of how it was stimulated by the aggressions of the enemy he instanced the fact that since the agitation for Home Rule had commenced a great number of new Orange Lodges had been established in Ireland. He referred to the Irish orator, Mr Dillon, and his confrere, who proposed visiting Auckland shortly, in support of the Plan of Campaign, andhoped that all loyal Orangemen woulddo all in their power to prevent such traitorous attempts exercising any baleful effects over theconvictionsof Britishpeople. He brought forward and propo&ed the following resolution :—": — " That we, the Orangemen of Auckland and Protestant friends assembled here this 12th ot July evening, being fully convinced that if Home Rule were granted to Ireland the extermination of Protetbants would to a great measure be the result, and the allegiance of the remaining people would be to Rome, instead of co ourmosb gracious Queen, deprecate all and any attempts made and that are making to have such a law as Home Rule for Ireland passed by the British Parliament, and we hereby pledge our unswerving loyalty to the Crown and constitution of Greab Britain and Ireland, as established by law on January Ist, 1800. "' The Rev. Mr Laycock seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr Baker spoke briefly of the great work done by Orangeism in the cause of tiue liberty and freedom. Those advocating Home Rule for Ireland were in his mind imposing upon the Irish nation, and he beleived " Home R.ule" was nothing more or less than a synonym for " Rome Rule," In bygone days brave men fought, suffered and died in support of their spiritual convictions and ideas of freedom, the fruits of whose heroic struggles we wero now enjoying, and it was the bounden duty of Orangemen and Protestants to stand hrm and true to these principles, and resist with all their might any attempts to wrest from a country its rights and liberty in politics and religion. Orangemen were the sworn enemies of superstition and every form of evil, and should work without wearying in the cause ot the oppressed and downtrodden, and combat the efforts made by enemies of Protestant liberty to undermine the Orange Institution. He had great pleasure in seconding the resolution. The Rev. J. H. Simmonds wished to speak especially with regard to the relations of Orangeism to the national educational system. He was deeply gratified at the strenuous efforts put forth by Orangemen on behalf of the maintenance of integrity and freedom in the school system, and in protecting them from the attacks of particular denominations. But still the public schools as at present constituted were in an imperfect state, and he would wish to see more useful mental training — strengthening and developing the thinking powers of the young— introduced, with indispensable moral teaching, inculcating the principles of duty between man and man. He was nob prepared to advocate the introduction of the Bible into the public schools— it might notyetbeexpedient or practicable— but believed that some arrangement could be arrived at whereby the germs of the great principles of life-duty

should bo implanted in youthful minds. The present system of education, judging by results, was nofc quite what was wanted, but ho called on all earnest in the work of truth to be vigilant in order to defend the question ot national education ac opposed to denominational teaching in schools. Mr Baker brought forward a l-csolution. He proposed: — " That having taken coernisauco of the government of Lord Salisbury, and the manner in which he has conducted the affairs of the United Kingdom since his accession to power, and considering the difficulties he and his executive had, and still have, in governing the people of Ireland, caused by party politician?, we convey to him and his Government our hearty appreciation of their services, and trust that their efforts to ameliorate the condition of the inhabitants of that distracted and disaffected island may be ci owned with success." Mr Farrell seconded tho resolution, which was carried unanimously. During the evening the following miscellaneous programme was gono through : — Pianoforte selection, Miss Fortzer ; "Four Jolly Smith?," Mr Menzies (encored); quintette, "I've Wandered," the Frith family (encorod) ; "Tho Arab's Farewell to his Steed," Mr Macgregor ; "Strangers Yet," Miss Peace; "She Wore a Wreath of Roses," Mr Stanton ; "Hail to the Chief," Mr Menzies (oncored) ; Miss Gardiner recited efiectively 1 "The Battle of the Boyne," and Mr C. Rnbinson "The Flag we Adore " and the "Girl of the Period." 1 ' After a vote ol thanks had been passed to the ladie- 1 who presided at the tea-tablos, proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem.