The New Zealand Craftsman Wellington, New Zealand, June 2, 1913

THE BRETHREN ON THE FLOOR.
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THE recent lengthy list of proposed amendments to G.L. Laws induces reflection as to what proportion of the
brethren subject to these laws individually interested themselves sufficiently to even find out what they were
all about. As regards' the vast majority it may, without much fear of error, be taken as, unfortunately, only
too true that the decision in connection with these amendments was left to the judgment of a few experienced
brethren in the Lodges, and the result accepted with thankfulness that a somewhat tedious job was so easily
got out of the way. The same course of apathetic reliance on the more experienced few is the rule rather than
the exception in regard to the decision upon questions coining before the Lodges as part of the business
routine at ordinary meetings. Matters which should be fully discussed by the Lodge as a Lodge, which
should be thoroughly understood of every brother on the floor, acquiesced in or opposed, receive the
scantiest treatment, the general idea being that the "W.M., the officers, and the P.Ms. will see that everything
is all right. It is very desirable, of course, that those who have not yet attained high rank, or office, should
show it reasonable deference to and respect for the opinions of those older and more experienced in the
Craft. But to this end no brother on the floor should abrogate his high privilege and duty of personally
knowing and understanding everything that is done affecting his Lodge, and of expressing his views
thereupon, tersely, clearly, and fearlessly, when the occasion requires it. And if his duty to his Lodge and
himself demands this alert and intelligent interest in the administration of Lodge matters, how much more is
it not demanded in the case of the administration by G.L. of the affairs of the whole of the Craft in the
Dominion !

It is said of constitutionally governed countries and communities that they get just such government- as they
deserve. A very little reflection will serve to show the truth of this, since government is in the hands of the
people, who have the selection of those who rule over them. To labour the point would be absurd. But the
sante immutable law applies to the administration of the Craft and the individual Lodges. Where there is
apathy on the part of the members, or a general willingness to delegate to a few the responsibilities and
duties of the whole, whatever short-comings there may be, either as regards G.L. management or ordinary
Lodge administration„ the members as a whole must accept the blame. There seem to be two causes
operating to bring about a general apathy on the part of the brethren on the floor in connection both with
G.L. matters and ordinary Lodge affairs. One is the impression, alluded to previously, that the the officers,
and the P.Ms. will see to everything being done correctly. The other is a disinclination to the debating, or
discussion of, questions because the time in the lodge-room will be unduly prolonged, and the proceedings in
the refectory correspondingly curtailed. As to the former, it may be true that the experienced brethren on the
dais and the officers of the Lodge may be relied upon, generally speaking, to do what is right and proper; but
this does not relieve any brother on the floor of his own personal responsibility in the matters dealt with, or
of his duty to know or understand what is being done, and if necessary to support or oppose it. As for the
latter cause, it cannot be too strongly impressed upon all the brethren, whether on the dais, in office, or on
the floor, that the real object for which a Lodge meets is the business transacted within the lodge-room. That
is what is important. The proceedings in the refectory afterwards, pleasant though they may be, and having
their uses and value, are relatively quite unimportant. Brethren who would sacrifice any part of the lodge-
roosts ceremony or procedure for the mere social enjoyment in the refectory have yet much to learn as to
what constitutes the genuine Freemason, The serious truth is that every member of the Craft should take a
live and intelligent interest in the affairs of his G.L. and of his own Lodge. Only so can good and efficient
government be assured in either case, and, as they are most numerous, that most desirable consummation
rests wills the brethren on the floor,

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