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

AS OTHERS SEE US.
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A worthy and worshipful English brother, who had spent sense weeks in the Dominion, honoured our
sanctum with a visit on the eve of his departure for Home. The opportunity was too good to be lost, and the
following dialogue ensued :-
E. Bro. : Bro. Editor, I am leaving your Dominion to-morrow, and I thought. I should like to shake your hand
once more and bid you farewell.
E. : I am more than pleased to see you before your departure. I hope your visit has been a pleasant one, and
that you will take back happy recollections.
E. Bro. : Your country is a lovely one, and I have experienced the greatest courtesy and kindness during my
stay.
E.: You have I presume, acquired some Masonic impressions. Would you mind giving them to me for the
information of my readers ?
E. Bro. I shall be pleased, especially as my reception in every Lodge visited has been so cordial and
brotherly.
E. : What is your opinion of our Lodges generally ?
E. Bro. : Most favourable. Though you have no uniformity of working, and in some cases the work differs
materially from our own, I found that invariably it was well done, better, in fact, than that of many of our
Lodges. Your Masters and officers seem dreadfully earnest with regard to ritual working.
E.: Do you favour a uniformity of working ?
E. Bro. : Yes, I do. Though, of course, there are different kinds of working in England, the difference is not
material, and in all my visitations I have never had ally difficulty in taking part in the ceremony. But in many
of your Lodges I should have been all at sea, had I been invited to assist.
E. But., I presume, you have noticed deficiencies in our Lodges?
E. Bro. : Well, I hope I shall not give offence, but in several instances it has occurred to me that selections
have been made of popular, rather than qualified, brothers for office, and the services of a preceptor have
under such circumstances been apparent.
E : I hope you have had experience also in what is called the Fourth Degree?
E. Bro. : Oh, yes ; indeed, it is impossible to refuse the kind and pressing invitations. You know your system
is much better than ours in many respects. You freely invite all visitors, there is no charge made, and visitors
are under no restraint. Your practice is a good one, and exceedingly generous.
E.: Then there is no fly in the ointment with regard to the Fourth?
E. Bro.: Well, as you have asked, me, truth requires an open reply. There is an inclination with some of your
members to — what is usually called — play to the pit. Comic songs appear to find favour. Some are
harmless, some are not. But what I most reprobate is the inane desire to tell stories of very doubtful
character. And what surprised me most was to hear the loud applause that greeted them. I regret to say that
one of the worst 1 heard was told by a man whose grey hairs should have at least been sufficient to protect
the Lodge from the infliction.
E.: And what of the Master, did he not interfere ?
E. Bro. : No W M. is looking for unpopularity, and only a very strong man would interfere when so much
applause is given to vicious things.
E.: Unfortunately, it is so! I thank you very much for your call, and in wishing you farewell I would ask you
to bear the fraternal greetings of the New Zealand brethren to your own Lodge and others you may visit.