LOYAL ORANGE LODGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1922, Page 4

LOYAL ORANGE LODGE.

THE ANNUAL SESSION. PROGRESS OF INSTITUTION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, April 15. The annual session of the Loyal Orange Institution of New Zealand was preceded by the session of the provincial Black Chapter of Ireland. The Provincial Grand Master (the Rev. Mr. Knowles Smith), presiding, said the past year had been a memorable one. Ulster Protestants had faced the changes involved in the British Government’s proposals with the true spirit and an earnest desire tp co-operate in all measures leading to the peace and prosperity of their land. As far as the Knights o-f Ireland were concerned the utmost would be done and given to the brethren across th© sea. Let them make known their need and the New Zealand knights would prove to the full the real bond of brotherhood. He expressed the belief that “the cause of Protestanism would be carried forward to complete victory against the forces of disintegration now prominent.” He emphasised the necessity of greater organisation of the Protestant vote in view of the general election in the Dominion. It was decided to make overtures to other Protestant Associations with a view to united action at the polls. A considerable advance was made by the opening of new lodges and the influx of members into the existing lodges. He was pleased to note that the number of ladies’ lodges was increasing very rapidly. There was a growing demand for juvenile lodges. There was an increase of lodge libraries and an evident desire to accumulate information by the purchase of Protestant literature.

The Grand Secretary reported that during the fourteen years since the formation of the grand lodge much progress had been made in raising the order to a greater state of efficiency and making its mission more clearly understood and appreciated. Since the last annual meeting twelve new warrants had been issued and -one re-issued, making ten male and three female lodges to register and three applications for female warrants had still to be dealt with. ,

Reports from lodges were very encouraging and indicated all round progress. The Grand Treasurer’s report showed the finances to be in a satisfactory position and the prospects for the coming year are all that could be desired. Officers were elected and installed as follows: —Provincial Grand Master, G. Taylor; Auckland Provincial Deputy Master, W. Glibbery; P. G. Chaplain, Rev. R. Liddell; Honorary Grand Chaplains, Revs. Eccles, Cumming, Pybus and Howard Elliott; Provincial Grand Registrar, W. Taylor (Dunedin); Deputy Grand Registrar, Findlater (Auckland); P.G. Treasurer, Dickinson (Dunedin) ; Deputy Grand Treasurer, Steptoe (Wellington); P.G. Lecturers, White (Wellington) and Galbraith (Auckland); P.G. Censors, Pittam (Auckland) and Agnew (Invercargill); Standard Bearers, Upton (Petone) and Eade (Auckland) ; Pursuivant, Stubberfleld (Christchurch) ; G, Inspector of Workings, Noble, P.P.G.M.; committee, M'Lean (Timaru). Smithers (Feilding), Hewitt (Rangiora), Bennett (Wellington), Cobb (Palmerston North), Ross (Christchurch), Leaman (Wellington).