PEACE LOVE AND HARMONY
Everybody today seems to be protesting about something, objecting to something, petitioning for something.
In itself this is not a bad thing: a complacent society is likely to be a moribund society. But political
antagonisms do tend to exacerbate the feelings. We are not all so adult that we can always play the ball
instead of the man. Often it takes a conscious effort to remain friendly with the man who is our antagonist in
a matter we think important—and in which, consequently, we discover a point of principle.
What usually happens is that we avoid running up against such a man, do not sit at the same table with him
as often as before.
The Craft has its own way of dealing with these difficulties. If there is a difference and it really doesn't
matter a great deal the Freemason will go into lodge and sit with his adversary, and the mere fact of joining
together in the same observances and exchanging greetings afterwards will often do a great deal towards
healing any breach. These things may help to keep personal relations separate from those other relations in
which the strain is becoming apparent. If the matter is more serious, one Brother is supposed to approach the
other and attempt to make up the differences, but if that cannot be done it is better that one or both should
retire than that the harmony of the lodge should be disturbed by their presence.
Strain has a way of communicating itself to third parties. If one is with two people and there is tension
between them one does not need to be particularly sensitive to atmosphere to detect that there is a trouble and
to be upset by it. Brethren are required not to bring their antagonisms into the lodge, because the lodge is a
quiet, friendly place where people get on with one another. That is exactly what the words Peace, Love and
Harmony mean. Within the lodge one need not be on one's guard, one is surrounded by friends and united
with them in a common purpose. Some of the Brethren may be men one meets every day of the week—some
may be allies, some antagonists. Some one may never see except at lodge. All, in the capacity of
Freemasons, are one's friends, one's Brethren. Some Freemasons understand this concept very fully and the
life of the lodge within the temple means a good deal to them: these Brethren are most distressed when
anything occurs to disturb the harmony of the lodge, for this harmony is something they have learned to rely
on.
Love is the affection that grows out of association and mutual respect: that, at least, is one manifestation of
love, and perhaps the one most applicable in a Masonic lodge. It can best flourish in an atmosphere of peace,
and best of all in an atmosphere of harmony. Harmony is different from unison, for in harmony the
contributions are all different, but they blend together to make an acceptable whole. Unison within the lodge,
without discussion, disagreement, interchange of opinion, would be dull and stultifying. Harmony provides
the life and interest which Masonry, as well as any other institution, needs in order to remain alive.
In their wisdom those who devised the modern Craft set guide-lines within which and only within which the
Freemason during his Masonic activities may operate. Be he the Prime Minister or the Leader of the
Opposition he must leave his politics at the door. Be he Rabbi or Archbishop he must be silent on sectarian
matters within the lodge. In the lodge and in the refectory he is expected, whoever he is outside, to be
temperate and not disputatious, not to commit those gross faults of manners which might make him try to
pull rank or to impress with his bankroll. We meet on the level and part on the square, and no man is
esteemed in lodge for what he has.
Peace and love, rest and affection: they are not the whole of the story. A lodge does not flourish in idleness.
Harmony does not come from inertia. The common objects of the lodge must be pursued. The ritual
standards must be kept high. The Master must remember that he has been exhorted to communicate light and
impart instruction to the Brethren, whether through his own agency or by seeking the services of a Grand
Lecturer. The work of the Almoner must never be neglected. There is much to hold the Brethren together,
and working in a common enterprise towards a common objective ties the strongest bonds of all. Working
together against a background of peace and love will cause a lodge to take a direction from which it cannot
readily be diverted by any private pique or quarrel.
g g g
There are nine requisites for contented living; health enough to make work a pleasure; wealth enough to
support your needs; strength to battle with difficulties and overcome them; grace enough to confess your sins
and forsake them; patience enough to toil until some good is accomplished; charity enough to see some good
in your neighbour; love enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others; faith enough to make real the
things of God; hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future. — Goethe
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CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Journals bearing the following addresses have been returned to this office marked, "Gone, No Address".
Should any Lodge Secretary or Brother know the present address of any of these Brethren, we would be
pleased to receive their advice.
A. J. Brian, 62 Winchester St., Levin.
A. Davie, Turua, Hauraki Plains.
J. S. Dick, 11 Hanlon St., Devonport.
K. A. Faulkner, 30 Landview Rd., Tauranga.
L. J. Froude, Main Rd., Glenside, R.M.D. Johnsonville.
G. A. Lindsay, 18 Melrose Pl.. Tokoroa.
H. D. Marment, 20 Henry St., Kilbirnie.
W. R. Morgan, 2/4 Osborne St., Newmarket, Auckland.
W. Morrow, Box 44 Ranfurly.
George F. W. Parks, 3 Argyle Grove, Upper Hutt.
A. M. Poole, 50 Waimapu St., Greerton, Tauranga.
J. G. Prescott, 21 Hinton Ave., Beerescourt, Hamilton.
P.H. Tomlins, c/o Box 489, Hastings.
E. Whineray, Ohaupo Rd., Te Awamutu.
AUCKLAND
HONOURING SERVICE
At the recent regular meeting Lodge Takapuna 202 was host to R.W. Bro. Selwyn Oldham, Prov. G.M. and
officers of Grand Lodge. The purpose of the visit was to invest W. Bro. E. T. White as Past Grand Standard
Bearer. While investing W. Bro. (Ted) White, R.W. Bro. Oldham referred to the dedication W. Bro. White
had applied to his office of Secretary of the Lodge over the many years he had held the position.
R.W. Bro. Oldham then presented R.W. Bro. D. A. Thorburn, Junior G.W. with a Junior Grand Warden's
Jewel belonging to the late R.W. Bro. F. E. Sutherland, P.G.W., a past master of Lodge Takapuna who was
V.W. Bro. Thorburn's proposer into Freemasonry.
After working the Third Degree R.W. Bro. Oldham complimented the Lodge on its fine effort.
A pleasant hour was spent in the refectory and in reply to the toast to Grand Lodge Officers present and past,
R.W. Bro. Oldham referred to several Grand Lodge Officer drawn from the ranks of Lodge Takapuna and in
particular to the stirling work of the late R.W. Bro. J. J. A. Howie, P. Pray. G.M. in assisting M.W. Bro.
Edgar Faber in the formation of the Roskill Masonic Village, and also to the untiring devotion to the craft of
R.W. Bro. F. E. Sutherland.
The Provincial Grand Master and Officers of Grand Lodge retired at 11 p.m.
———
NEW D.G. PRIOR INSTALLED
For V. Em. Fr. Arch Burns, Saturday 4th April last was a night to remember. During the evening he installed
his successor, V. Em. Fr. Jack P. Glenie, as District Grand Prior, N.Z. North, Great Priory of Scotland, and
the tributes that were paid to him during the evening were heart warming.
A muster of over 120 Fratres were present when the Installing Officer opened District Grand Priory, and
received his distinguished visitors, V. Em. Fr. R. W. L. Wood, K.C.T., Dist. G.P., N.Z. Central, V. Em. NT
Cyril Baker, Prov Prior, N.Z. North, Great Priory of England, and V. Em. Sir KT. James Dornan, St. Priory
of Ireland. The large attendance of Fratres represented all Preceptories of the host District, from Kaitaia in
the North to Whakatane and Hamilton in the South and the new District Officers were drawn from all the
Preceptories. V. Fr. E. H. Bradstreet acted as Mareschal for the meeting.
Refectory proceedings were a wonderful tribute to the outgoing Dist. Grand Prior. In a special toast to Fr.
Arch Burns, the new Dist. Grand Prior, V. Em. Fr. Glenie, spoke of the great service to the Order which had
been given by the retiring Dist. Grand Prior, over a period which covered 10 years as Prior and many years
in other offices. It was a fitting climax when V. Em. Fr. Glenie read a cable which he had just received from
Edinburgh announcing the award to V. Em. Fr. Burns of Knight Grand Cross which has only twice
previously been given in New Zealand and the award of which is strictly limited by the mother Great Priory.
The announcement resulted in a standing ovation for Fr. Burns.
The Dist. Grand Prior was also able to make a substantial presentation to Fr. Burns from the Fratres of the
District, to evidence the affection in which he is held.
The new District Grand Prior V. Em. Fr. Glenie in replying to his own toast, stressed the need for all Fratres
to give their first loyalty to their Craft Lodges and their Royal Arch Chapters, the core and centre of our
Masonic system. —H.W.
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RUAPEHU
CONSECRATION OF PHOENIX SOVEREIGN CHAPTER
OF PRINCES ROSE CROIX, No. 160 A. AND A.S. RITE
At Palmerston North on 18th April, 1970, the southernmost Sovereign Chapter in the North Island, of the A.
and A.S. Rite, was consecrated by V. Ill. Bro. C. A. Rowe, 33°, Grand Inspector General, N.Z. North. He
was assisted by the following Illust. Brethren:
D. T. Clifton-Lewis, 32° (Coronation, No. 60).
R. L. Wainhouse, 32° (John J. Laws, No. 157).
R. J. Allen, 32° (Northland, No. 63).
B. S. Marshall, 32° (Waikato, No. 37).
A. I. Harrison, 31° (Coronation, No. 60).
W. H. Barton, 30° (Taharoto, No. 130).
The services of A. and A. Rite members, Illust. Bro. .1. T. Pizzey, 30°, Marama Chapter, No. 224, and Ex.
and P.P. D. L. J. Jones, Feilding Chapter, No. 419, as organist and trumpeter respectively, are greatly
appreciated.
A large gathering of some 135 representing 33 Chapters (19 A. and A.S. Rite, 14 A. and A Rite), distributed
from Kaitaia to Invercargill, helped to make this memorable occasion one of the highlights of the year for the
Scottish rite. V. III. Bro. Rowe and the 44 foundation members were honoured by the presence of V. Illust.
Bro. Arthur F. Bow, 33°, G.I.G. Northern District, A. and A. Rite, V. Illust. Bro. Amos McKegg, 33°,
P.G.I.G., Central Districts, A. and A. Rite, and V. Illust. Bro. Allan C. Ford, 33°, S.G.I.G., N.Z. South, A.
and A.S. Rite.
Illust. Bro. T. Simpson Crawford, 30° (P.Prov.G.M., Argyle and the Isles District, Scotland) was installed as
M.W.S., and Ex. and P. Comp. J. McGregor (whose efforts led to the erection of the new Chapter) as H.P.
It is hoped that the wide representation of English Chapters is the fore-runner of their further interest in the
development of the order in the area, although differences in working should engender stimulated
appreciation of Rose Croix in general.
Close co-operation between the two rites was the keynote of many of the refectory comments, and the new
Chapter looks forward to having many visitors in the future.
In addition to commencing its life with a major assembly and well received ceremony, the Chapter is fully
equipped with very attractive furnishings, much of it constructed and donated generously by individuals and
Chapters.
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HAWKE'S BAY
ADDRESS GIVEN AT THE ANZAC MEETING OF THE SERVICES LODGE OF HAWKE'S BAY
BY R.W. BRO. SIR EDWIN HICKS, C.B.E., P.G.W.
SERVICES LODGE OF HAWKE'S BAY
25 th APRIL, 1970
"April 25th, 1970—the 55th anniversary of the landing of our New Zealand and Australian soldiers in
Gallipoli—a military disaster perhaps—but the foundation stone of an enduring relationship between two
sister nations and the birth of the ANZAC heritage.
"It has been stated that our two nations were born on 25th April, 1915—that is not quite correct. Maybe the
two youngest of the world's nations were recognised as achieving nationhood from that day.
"But certainly on that day when the two youngest nations fought against one of the world's oldest nations,
Turkey. A heritage was born—a tradition established.
"They fought—these forefathers of ours—against the forces of oppression and in support of fundamental
principles of freedom.
"I suggest that up to 1939 on every 25th April we not only reflected in gratitude on those who fought and
those who died, and mourned in sympathy with
those who were bereaved, but remembered with
pride, the principles for which they fought.
"And from 1939 for a further 6 years, both our
nations were again involved in another world war—
commencing in the same environment as the
previous one, but ultimately spreading closer to the
shores of our native lands.
"During this our heritage was maintained and
tradition enhanced.
"Since then our annual remembrance days have
embraced both the Anzacs of the 1914-18 war and
their successors of 1939-45. But even at the end of
that war, and right up to the present moment the
peace so desperately desired has not yet been established among the nations of the world.
"We entered the era of the cold war where subversion, infiltration and insurgency are accepted weapons, and
in this era again, we two nations have subscribed together to oppose the forces of oppression and fight for the
cause of freedom. A changing world and a changing environment no longer allows us to sharply divide and
clearly distinguish between a time of war and one of peace.
"In short, this means that the maintenance of the Anzac tradition and the custody of our heritage are now
more widely spread. They are national responsibilities of all the citizens of New Zealand and Australia."
The hallowed associations of this day, illustrate two of the most vital principles in human experience. The
first is that it is a very great thing to be able to save those whom you love, by dying for them. The second is
that it is a very great thing to have been died for.
These two principles enshrine the fundamental and essential spirit of our faith, and they enshrine the crucial
and poignant reflections that grip all our hearts whenever Anzac Day is commemorated.
On Sunday morning, April 25th, 1915, in a welter of blood, two nations achieved nationhood. In suffering,
but with Divine dispensation, the Anzacs paid the supreme sacrifice depicted in every Sublime Degree of
Masonry. Upon that Anzac morning they received their wages, without scruple, because they knew they had
earned them; without diffidence, because they knew they were entitled to them.
To we Masons within these sacred portals on this occasion, we who are accustomed to dealing with allegory
and symbolism, legends and mythology, comes the thought and memory of these men who were not
mythical; of men whose exploits could be as brilliantly depicted as those recorded in mythology.
Death—that great leveller—claimed many thousands of victims on Gallipoli—and many thousands in the
subsequent battles and wars.
"In the democracy of death all men are at last equal. There is neither rank, nor station, nor prerogative in the
republic of the grave. At this fatal threshold the philosopher ceases to be wise and the songs of the poet are
silent. The miser relinquishes his millions and Lazarus his rags. The poor man is as rich as the richest, and
the rich man is as poor as the pauper. The creditor loses his usury and the debtor is acquitted of his
obligations. There the proud man surrenders his dignities, the politician his honours, the worldling his
pleasures. The individual needs no physician and the labourer rests from his unrequited toil. Here, at last, is
Nature's final equity. The wrongs of time are redressed; injustice is explained; the irony of fate is refuted; the
unequal distribution of wealth, honour, capacity, pleasure and opportunity, which makes life so cruel and
inexplicable a tragedy, cease in the realms of death. The strongest has no supremacy and the weakest needs
no defence. The mighty captain succumbs to the invincible adversary, who disarms alike the victor and the
vanquished."
The Anzacs were builders, builders of two great Nations. We, too, brethren, are builders—builders of
eternity.
The Anzacs laid the foundations of two nations within a Commonwealth of Nations and handed down to
posterity a glorious heritage. We too, Brethren, as Masons, have inherited a glorious heritage—Masonry—
whose principles, if universally accepted and applied, provide the greatest basis for peace the world has ever
known. We Masons build, not only for ourselves, but for posterity—so beautifully epitomised in the
following poem:
"An old man going a lone highway,
Came at the evening cold and grey,
To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim.
That sullen stream had no fears for him:
But he turned when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
'Old man,' said a fellow pilgrim near,
'You are wasting your strength in building here,
Your journey will end with the ending day,
You never again must pass this way.
You have crossed the chasm deep and wide,
Why build you this bridge at eventide?'
The builder lifted his old grey head,
'Good friend, in the path I have come.' he said,
'There followeth after me today,
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm, that has been as naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be,
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him'."
"Labour on, then, my Brethren; ours is a noble work, and like that of the Anzacs, a glorious task—one
worthy of our best endeavours. Seek to make Freemasonry a shining light, dispersing the darkness, and
illuminating all mankind with a new spirit. Strive to make it a living force, permeating our national and
social life with the grand Masonic principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. Thus it will become a
power for good in the world, for although we should no longer be building stately edifices and temples of
stone, as our ancient Brethren did, we shall be contributing in body, soul and spirit, to the erection of a
sumptuous palace, an edifice of a regenerated, ennobled and glorified humanity, a temple of living souls."
When Captain McRae, a Canadian Officer, went to the front in France in 1915, he was very deeply
impressed by the sight of so many little wooden crosses marking the last resting place of comrades who had
gone before. He wrote these sublime words, and a few weeks later was himself resting beneath such a cross,
having paid the supreme sacrifice.
"In Flanders field the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row—
They mark our place. And in the sky
The lark still bravely singing flies,
Scarce heard above the guns below.
We are the dead;
Short days ago we lived, felt dawn,
Saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved—and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our task, for, as we go,
To you with failing hands v e throw
The torch;
Be yours to hold it high;
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep—
Though poppies blow in Flanders fields."
Brethren that is the challenge of Anzac to you and to me, a challenge already accepted by another generation
of Anzacs. It is the challenge rising from every little cross beneath which rests our own kith and kin—to take
up the torch of truth, of justice, of liberty, of love; and courageously, unflinchingly, freely as they did, bear
it aloft in every walk of life, and so play our part in bringing to fruition that happy state for which the Anzacs
died and of which Symonds has written:
"These things shall be—a loftier race
Than e'er the world bath known shall rise,
With the flame of freedom in their souls
And the light of knowledge in their eyes.
Nation with nation, land with land,
Unarmed shall live as Brethren free,
In every heart and brain shall throb,
The pulse of one Fraternity.
New arts shall bloom of loftier mould,
And mightier music thrill the skies,
And every life shall be a song,
When all the earth is paradise."
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WAIRARAPA
A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE R. WOR. BRO. GEORGE RUSTON, P.G.W.
Freemasonry in general and Lodge Wairarapa, No. 238 in particular, suffered a severe loss on the 23rd
March, 1970, when R.W. Bro. George H. Ruston passed to the Grand Lodge Above.
The late R.W. Bro. George Ruston was a man who gave long and freely of his time and energy to
Freemasonry in all its spheres. He was greatly loved and respected by all, for he lived in accordance with the
highest ideals of our fraternity and his kindly and courteous demeanour endeared him to all who came within
his circle.
He was initiated in Lodge Wairarapa, No. 238 in 1924, was W.M. in 1931-32 and again in 1945-46. From
1951 to 1953 he was Asst. Prov. G.M. and in 1956 he was Senior Grand Warden.
During his 46 years in Lodge Wairarapa, he filled almost every office and some of them several times. He
was made an Honorary Member by his Mother Lodge.
He loved the Craft with a singular devotion and he never missed - an opportunity to fraternise with his
Brethren, no distance was too great and no night too stormy for him to derive his greatest pleasure from the
company of his Brethren.
R.W. Bro. Ruston was an early advocate of the appointment of Lodge Almoners and on 3rd February, 1953,
during his term as assistant Provincial Grand master, convened a meeting which resulted in the formation of
the Wairarapa Almoners' Association. Even before his elevation to Grand Lodge rank he sought by precept
and example to increase co-operation between the Wairarapa Lodges and in 1946 he presented a Travelling
Gavel for the annual working of a degree by the nine sitting Masters of the district. This working is one of
the highlights of the Masonic year in the area and is held in each of the Wairarapa Lodges in turn.
Always ready to render any charge assigned to him the Brethren will remember the quiet dignity and
impressiveness with which he delivered his message. His time and his Masonic knowledge was available to
all Brethren at all times. He was justly regarded as a Final Court of Appeal in Masonic matters and always
sought to uphold the best traditions of the Craft.
Honesty, morality, brotherhood, charity, cheerfulness and the maxim, do unto others as you would be done
by, were principles practised by him his whole life through.
His life of service to the Craft and the community is very well summarised by some words he was fond of
quoting. "For the cause that needs assistance. For the wrong that needs resistance. For the future in the
distance. And the good that we can do."
A very large congregation attended the funeral service in St. Matthew's Church and at the Masterton
Cemetery, testifying to the esteem and affection in which R.W. Bro. Ruston was held.
We express our deepest symapthy with Mrs Ruston and hope that the sympathy of many friends will have
been a source of comfort in her time of sorrow.—A.A.F.
———
INSTALLATION MEETING—LODGE WAIRARAPA, No. 238
The first Installation meeting for 1970 of this part of the Wellington district was held at Lodge Wairarapa,
No. 238 on the 25th March at Masterton.
The Ceremony was conducted by V.W. Bro. J. E. Harwood, Asst. Prov. G.M. who asked V.W. Bro. E. P.
Smith, G.D.C., to place R.W. Bro. R. L. Parker, P.G.W. as S.W., V.W. Bro. J. W. Richards, P. Asst. Prov.
G.M. as J.W., W. Bro. W. H. Saunders, P. Asst. G.D. of C., as Chaplain and W. Bro. W. L. Marchbank, P.G.
Swd. B. as I.G.
Bro. C. E. T. Archer, J.W. (Bro. C. Trask, S.W., who had suffered with a severe illness during the year, had
elected to remain in the S.W. chair for a further term), was then Installed as Worshipful Master in a very
impressive manner.
The W.T.'s were presented by W. Bro. G. A. Greenfield, W.M., Mokoia, 213, W. Bro. N. Archer, P.M., St.
John, 37, and W. Bro. I .P. Wollerman, W.M., St. Marks, 53, in that order. The Lodge Warrant was presented
by V.W. Bro. J. L. Terry, P. Asst. Prov. G.M. and the Charge to the Master was delivered by V.W. Bro. V.
M. Anderson, Asst. Prov. G.M. The Wardens were addressed by W. Bro. A. A. Fantham, P.G.S. and the
Brethren by R.W. Bro. E. A. Sargent, P. Dep. G.M. The Senior Officers were invested by W. Bro. W. T.
Fletcher, P.G.S. and the Junior Officers by W. Bro. J. E. T. Wood, G.S. The Trumpeter was Bro. J. Kirk.
V.W. Bro. Anderson, Asst. Prov. G.M. thanked W. Bro. W. D. Buick for his drive and energy and his
splendid contribution to the Craft during his year as Master of Lodge Wairarapa and presented him with his
P.M. Certificate and a Jewel from the members of his Lodge. R.W. Bro. E. A. Sargent presented a long
service Jewel to Bro. R. I. Macdonald in recognition of his service as Treasurer for the past seventeen years.
The evening ceremony was unique for Lodge Wairarapa as V.W. Bro. J. Harwood is a member of our Sister
Lodge, Mokoia, No. 213 and this fact gave the members a great deal of pleasure.
About 20 Grand Lodge Officers were present for the evening as well as members of Mokoia Lodge,
representatives from all district Lodges and members of Lodge Wairarapa were present in force.
As usual, a Banquet was held in the Refectory which was quite in keeping with the high standard aimed at by
the Lodge. The tables had been tastefully decorated by the Ladies of the Lodge.—A.A.F.
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NELSON - MARLBOROUGH
INSTALLATION MEETING OF LODGE WAKATU, No. 385, NELSON
R.W. Bro. H. W. J. Waters, Provincial Grand Master of Nelson and Marlborough, attended Lodge Wakatu,
No. 385, on 28 February 1970 and with the assistance of Grand Lodge Officers conducted the ceremony of
installation of Bro. Dorian H. S. Prince and the investiture of his Officers. At the completion of the
installation ceremony the newly installed Master gave the following address:
"Brethren, it is the custom of this Lodge on the night of Installation for the Master to give a short address to
the assembled Brethren, and I have taken for the theme of my address the title of a well known radio
programme, 'Looking At Ourselves'. Some Masters on the night of their Installation decide to moralise,
others to discuss a few facts, but I propose to ask a few questions.
"I have been a member of the Craft for almost 22 years, and many of you here tonight will have had much
longer Masonic careers than that, but in that time we have seen many incredible changes occur throughout
the world. Freemasonry, however, is based on tradition and changes little over the years, and I would be the
last person to advocate any changes in the ritual or in the Ancient Usages and Established Customs of the
Craft. We must, nevertheless, appreciate that we live in a changing world, and be prepared to meet the
challenges which are constantly before us, and move with the times as far as we are able to within the
structure of the Craft.
"Is there a tendency for us to be too complacent? I have heard it said that Freemasonry has nothing to fear
and is stronger today than it ever was, but is this true? A study of recent statistics in the reports of the
Proceedings of Grand Lodge shows that in the year 1967 there was a net loss in membership throughout New
Zealand of 396 Brethren, and in 1968 a net loss of 571. It is also significant that in 1968 no new Lodges were
consecrated.
"Is it not a fact that over the last few years the number of men, and particularly young men, seeking initiation
into the Craft has declined? If this is true, then brethren I think we have no cause to be complacent. Never
before has Freemasonry faced such competition from
other organisations in the quest for membership from the young and up-and-coming men in our community. I
refer, of course, to the Service Clubs which have shown a quite remarkable increase in numbers and
membership in recent years.
"What can we do to counteract the drift of suitable men to such organisations at the expense of Freemasonry?
I would be the first to oppose most strongly any attempt being made in the Craft to adopt any of the
techniques or methods of the Service Clubs, although this is already being attempted in some places. So let
us take a detached view of the Craft and ourselves on the following lines.
"Do we insist on too much secrecy, particularly in respect of our aims and objects? The publicity given to the
Craft in 1968 when the Governor-General was installed as Grand Master was, in my opinion, a great step
forward in this direction and must have improved our image and prestige in the eyes of the general public to
a great degree,
"Do we give prospective candidates sufficient information? We all know of the poor attendance figures
which are common in most Lodges, and we also know of the all-too-frequent case of the man who takes his
three degrees and then soon loses interest and is seldom seen in Lodge again.
"Do we make it too difficult to join the Craft? This is a very difficult question, and it is of course a
fundamental principle of Freemasonry that no-one shall ever be invited to join, and the first approach must
come from the prospective candidate. When we are initiated we are warned against the 'improper solicitation
of friends' but this could be interpreted to mean that conversely there is such a thing as 'proper solicitation'
and we should, perhaps revise our ideas on this matter.
"While I am on the subject of membership I should also like to ask the question, 'Do we make it
unnecessarily difficult for our own brethren to join a new Lodge when they move to another district?' Is it
reasonable for a brother who is in good standing in a Lodge and who may even be an officer or a Past Master
of the Lodge, to have to go through an investigation which takes several months when he moves to another
district and wishes to continue his Masonic career?
"Do we organise and run our meetings, both inside the Lodge and outside in the Refectory, as efficiently and
expeditiously as we should? I know of no other organisation which invites visitors to its meetings and then
keeps them waiting outside closed doors for anything up to an hour before they are admitted!
"Are our Refectory proceedings too long and drawn out, particularly at mid-week meetings when the
brethren have to go to work the next morning and do not want a very late night? We have all sat through the
dreary repetition of numerous visitors, who probably hate speaking anyway, when they are called upon to
reply, one after another, to the Visitor's Toast.
"Those of you who have listened carefully to what I have said will have noticed that, as I said at the
beginning, I have asked a number of questions—and they may also have noticed that, for obvious reasons, I
have not attempted to answer them. The answers are, of course, a matter for our own conscience, and there
will be many different opinions. I think you will agree however, that there are many more questions of this
type which we should all ask yourselves from time to time if the Craft is not to stagnate into the morass of
complacency. We belong to the greatest Fraternity in the world today but we must maintain constant
vigilance, and conduct our business with efficiency and imagination if we wish to maintain the status which
our Ancient and Honourable Institution has enjoyed
from time immemorial. The Craft must not be allowed to decay through our inability to adjust to the
demands of the present age, and each and every one of us must do his part to see that we rise above today's
difficulties. Let our bearing in the community be the best advertisement for Freemasonry.
"Brethren, tonight I have been installed as Master of Lodge Wakatu, but I prefer to think of myself as being
the servant of the Lodge, and will do my utmost to serve the Lodge with zeal and assiduity throughout the
coming year."
g g g
OTAGO
INSTALLATION CEREMONY OF LODGE ALEXANDRA, No. 403, 10 APRIL 1970
A very unique occasion as the ingoing Wor. Master Bro. Richard Ernest Bennetts was a Mason of 52 years'
membership in the Craft.
His mother Lodge was Teviot Lodge, No. 148 and he still takes an active interest there.
He was a Charter Member of 403 when it formed in 1958 and has been a regular attender there for 12 years,
travelling 20 miles return to attend and is also very active in several other branches of Freemasonry.
The Installation Ceremony was in the capable hands of R.W. Bro. G. D. King, Prov. G.M. of Otago and Bro.
Bennett's popularity was evidently displayed by the attendance of some 120 Brethren from 20 Lodges from
far and near.
Tribute was paid to his many years of active service by the Prov. G.M. and in all the occasion was a tribute
to his standing in the Craft.
A very enjoyable Installation Banquet concluded the evening.
————
April is a busy month for Grand Lodge Officers and much travelling is done during the month to country
Lodges for their annual Installation meetings where large numbers of Brethren throughout Otago Central
attend these meetings to do honour both to the Lodge and the Grand Lodge Officers who carry out the
ceremonies.
Saturday, April the fourth, V.W. Brother W. C. Mawhinney, Asst. Prov. G.M. and Grand Lodge Officers
installed into the C. of K.S. Brother R. C. Sutherland of Lodge Strath Taieri, No. 199, Middlemarch and
invested his Officers. This is the first of some eight installation meetings as the following Wednesday, April
8th at Ranfurly R.W. Brother G. D. King, Prov. G.M. and Grand Lodge Officers were present at Mt. Ida
Lodge, No. 97 to install Brother J. W. Aitken and invest his officers; Thursday, Brother R. G. Gilchrist was
installed in St. Bathans Lodge, No. 126, Omakau, by V.W. Brother Mawhinney and the Officers of the
Lodge were invested by Grand Lodge Officers in attendance. V.W. Brother J. M. Davie, Asst. Prov. G.M. on
Friday at Clyde installed Brother J. E. Davidson into the C. of K.S. in Lodge Dunstan, No. 103 and with the
assistance of Grand Lodge Officers present invested the Officers of this respected Lodge. Saturday, R.W.
Brother G. D. King, Prov. G.M. was the installing officer for Lodge Manuherikia Kilwinning, No. 109 when
Brother A. G. A. Smart was installed into the C. of K.S. of his Lodge and Grand Lodge Officers invested the
Officers.
Following on, the next meeting was at Cromwell on the Thursday and V.W. Bro. Mawhinney as installing
officer installed Brother E. J. Manson into the Chair of Lodge Cromwell Kilwinning, No. 98. Assisting him
were Grand Lodge Officers who invested the Officers. Friday, V.W. Brother J. M. Davie was present in
Wanaka when Brother D. B. Jackson was installed by him and the Officers of Grand Lodge invested the
Officers of Lodge Wanaka, No. 277. Saturday, and the Prov. G.M., R.W. Brother G. D. King who had a
large following of Grand Lodge Officers for this special Installation meeting when Brother R. E. Bennetts
was installed into the C. of K.S. and the Officers of the Lodge were invested by Grand Lodge Officers. Well
you may ask: "What was special about this meeting?" The Brother installed into the Chair had been
presented with his Fifty Year Membership Badge some two years previously and Brethren from all over the
Otago Central Area were present to do honour to this worthy and true Mason as well as Brethren from
Dunedin and country areas, Alexandra Lodge, No. 403 being the proud host.
On Tuesday, April 28th, R.W. Brother G. D. King, Prov. G.M. accompanied by his Grand Lodge Officers
were received into The Hiram Lodge, No. 46 by W. Brother R. W. J. Tait, W.M., and at his invitation R.W.
Brother King presented a Fifty Year Badge to Brother F. C. Pizey who had travelled from Invercargill, where
he is now in residence, for this important occasion.
On Monday, May 4th R.W. Brother G. D. King, Prov. G.M. travelled with some of his Grand Lodge Officers
to Ranfurly where W. Brother J. W. Aitken, W.M. of Mt. Ida Lodge, No. 97 welcomed them and on this
occasion Brother A. J. D. M. Keegan was presented with his Fifty Year Badge by the Prov. G.M. —J.W.B.
———
Masonic history was made when R.W. Bro. G. D. King, Prov. G.M. and Grand Lodge Officers visited Lodge
Alexandra, No. 403 on April 18th to install Bro. R. E. Bennetts as Master of the Lodge. The occasion was
unique in Alexandra as also in New Zealand for the Worshipful Master Elect wore the 50-year Service Jewel
and had not previously been installed as Master of a Lodge.
W. Bro. Richard Ernest Bennetts was intiated in Lodge Teviot, No. 148 (Roxburgh) in January 1918. He also
joined Lodge Manuherikia, No. 109 (Alexandra) and when Lodge Alexandra, No. 403 was formed in
February, 1958 he became a Charter member. During all this time W. Bro. Bennetts steadfastly declined any
office in any Lodge, but continued an active membership of all three Craft Lodges as well as the Royal Arch
Chapter. It was not until 1968 that he was persuaded to accept the office of Junior Warden and although in
the following year he was Senior Warden, it was again only after much persuasion that he finally agreed to
forget his modesty and become Master of his
Lodge—fifty-two years after his initiation!
In proposing the toast to the Worshipful Master, W.
Bro. R. J. O. Dickinson, Secretary of Lodge
Alexandra, referred to W. Bro. Bennetts' sterling
qualities, his knowledge of Masonry, his
friendliness, his zeal and energy for the Craft. He
continued by quoting from ritual the ancient
prerequisites for a Master and expressed the opinion
that he could think of no one who was more
correctly described than W. Bro. R. E. Bennetts, the
new Master of the Lodge. —G.A.M.