MASTERTON DEBATING SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1079, 20 May 1882, Page 2

MASTERTON DEBATING SOCIETY.

The meeting of the Society last eveuing was well attended. Mr Grundy, the president, occupying the chair, The subject for tho evening was " Are Secret and other Confederate Societies injurious to the well-being of Society." Affirmative, Mr Woodroofe; negative, Mr Galloway. Mr Payton drew attention to the vague wording of the subject, and asked that it should be better defined. After some discussion it was decided that the leader of the debate would define the subject in his opening address, Mr Woodroofe commenced by alluding to Freemasonry as an institution devised by cunning men to work together at election times, No man was safe against such ut Society, He alleged that at their own meetings a man with a drawn sword guarded the door. Two of his nearest relatives were Masons and they had ftssured the speaker that they wero sorry for themselves. He had himself been denounced by secret societies, Such societies were necessary in the dark ages, but in the present enlightened times they only fostered selfishness, It was even said that Masnns raised spirits from underground, they certainly had a devil overground. He despised such societies. He saw in Wellington some years ago two Masonic bodies cutting each others throats. He admitted that' Masons helpe.l their bnthren but contended it would be better to assist their moral fellowmen rather than their immoral brethren, A relative of his said that of all the rascals lie ever knew the worst were found among Musons, Ono had actually borrowed ninety-five pounds from his relative and then went and filed his schedule. In Ireland he alleged members of secret Societies could nut be trusted on juries. He had.been told that a Masterton Mason was dressed in a bear's skin, He concluded his address by a few illustrations of Masonic iniquities. Mr Galloway, who followed, declared that Masonry was founded on eternal truth, and that its pillars were science and molality. He quoted Dr Dodd in support of- this. (Mr Woodroofe: Wasn't Dr Dodd hanged 1 Mr Galloway: Ho ought to have been if Masons are as you represent them,) He showed that those belonsing to the Order were charitable, The Prince of Wales and wealthiest people in Great Britain belonged to the Order, Surely they could not be accused of joining it from selfish motives, He shewed what Masons had done to promote education, and then proceeded to illustrate the admirable principles on which Friendly Societies, such as Foresters and Oddfellows, were formed,

Mr Park pointed out that as Mr Woodroofe never belonged to any of the Sociuaes which he denounced, lie could only speak of them from lieirsay. Mr Woodroofe had deiamedboth living and dead and had, the speaker felt sure, failed to convince any man among them with a heart.

Mr Russell pointed out that that the real question, viz., the broad principle of secrecy had not been touched. He held that by engendering suspicion and mistrust, secrecy was mischievous. Mr Morison, who followed, argued that men to attain any good object must make compacts with each other. Mr D'Arcy wondored at such a tirade from Mr AVuodroofe against the finest charitable and moral organisation in the world, Had the opener confined himself to secret political societies he would have gone with him, In friendly societies 6ecrecy meant nothing more than protecting members from the intrusion of persons who had no business there. There were no more secrets in such societies than there were in the members of a family.',"

_ Mr Hall contended that Secret Societies as a whole were dangorous to the community, Mr R, Brown thought that Mr Woodroofe's horror of Secret Societies resembled the sentiments expressed by the famous Mrs Caudle. Mr Redman said Mr Woodroof regarded Masonry as a sort of bogie and dared not venture into the cupboard to see if any bogie really existed. Mr Hogg regretted the limited scope of the discussion. If the question of secrecy was the question oi darkness or daylight he must give his vote against darkness. He had betn a member of somo Friendly Societies and while he found the objects of such organisations to be praiseworthy, the secrets were like the regalia, they were the tomfoolery and mummery of the Orders. Some Masons were of the opinion that even the secrets of that Order might be dispensed with. Mr Ford regretted that Mr Woodroofe had taken the line of argument which he had used. His remarks, considering the position the Prince of Wales held in the Order, were disloyal.. He contended that within its lodges Masonry was one of the brightest institutions on God's earth. The question was then put and lost on the voices.

Mr Galloway Rave a notice of motion in favor of the committee revising the subjects for future discussions, 6nd~ihr Payton gave one in favor of the upper room of the Institute being used for debates. .