Masonic Reform.

The two great reforms required are , a unity of Masonic rale , and the presence of the Masonic ruler in Victoria . Before considering how these desirable reforms are to be carried out , for the information of our country brethren we will submit a case for their consideration , which , when

they read , if they do not at once advocate the two great reforms required , they must be most apathetic in their Masonic feelings . The case we will submit is no fancy sketch , but one which has occurred in this colony , and within a few months . We have no personal feeling in the mattei * , our sole desire is to benefit the Craft , and to write for the guidance of brethren who reside at a distance from Melbourne .

The case we will submit is this : That a brother may be suspended by the Provincial Grand Master of one Constitution , and that suspension may not be acknowledged by the brethren of another Constitution ; and if that brother is a member of Constitution from which he has

any not been " suspended , he can enjoy all the rights and privileges of Masonry if he thinks proper . Does not this point out the necessity of a unity of rule ?

In order that all may understand this important question , we will detail the circumstances to which we allude . A brother holding high provincial rank , under the English Constitution , believing that he had a right to perform a certain duty , refused to permit a brother of superior rank to

displace him in the performance of that duty . The Right Worshipful the Grand Master required an apology to be made for such refusal . The offending brother requested time to consider the question , but the Provincial Grand Master insisted on

compliance with his order without consideration , ancl suspended the brother for non-compliance with his orders . Now , we will not presume to judge who may be right or who may be wrong . That has nothing to do with the question , which isthe position we are placed in , having three

rulingpowers over the Masonic body in Victoria . ' When the notification of the suspension of the brother we allude to had been issued to the English lodges , we heard brethren of high Masonic rank under the Irish Constitution who

requested the suspended brother to attend the opening of a chapter , the warrant of which chapter bore the name of the suspended brother as a petitioner . No , to assume a case , ' and one not at all unlikely to occur : Suppose a brother suspended from

his Masonic privileges by the Prov . G . Master under the Irish Constitution , and let us suppose that he also is < a member of a Lodge—say a W . Master under the English Constitution , and that that Constitution does not acknowledge the suspension ; or , to take another view of the case , that the

Provincial Grand Masters of the other Constitutions do not take any notice of such suspension until such time as their respective Provincial Grand

Lodges may meet , the suspended brother may present himself at the porch of the very lodge from which he has been suspended , and as Worshipful Master of a lodge under another Constitution , demand admission . These errors are easily obviated by establishing a unity of rule in the

colony of Victoria . How that ought to be established will be the subject for consideration in our next number , and we hope that every brother in the colony may give this most important question his serious consideration . It will not do to be

lukewarm . Masonic reforms are required , and the force of Masonic opinion carries us to the reformation of our Masonic errors , and steadily points to the establishing a unity of rule in the colony of Victoria . A unity of Masonic rule and the presence of

the ruling power in Victoria are requisite for the benefit of the Craft . How are these requirements to be obtained ? This is a most important question , and demands serious consideration . Masons have at all times been noted for their loyalty , not only to the head of the State in which they reside ,

but also to the head of the Constitution under which they had been initiated ; it is , therefore , a very serious matter for consideration . How can we preserve our loyalty , ancl at the same time effect the desired reformation of obtaining" a Victorian Constitution ?

In 1855 , when our Canadian brethren sought for a reformation of a similar character , and requested that the Constitutions of the United Grand Lodge of England , so far as they relate to the District Grand Lodges in colonies , should be altered so as to allow the lodges in Canada West , in Provincial Grand Lodge assembled , annually to

elect their Provincial Grand Master , to control the working and operations of the Craft , and through their Provincial Grand Master to grant , not only warrants to private lodges , but , if necessary , to form County or Provincial Grand Lodges in the province ; the United Grand Lodge of England

still retaining and exercising a superior ancl governing power and jurisdiction over the Craft in this province . The Most Worshipful Grand Master , the Earl of Zetland , replied , — " What the governing power and jurisdiction would be , should the former part

of the prayer of the petition be granted , he was at a loss to imagine . This petition was sent by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , not by the Provincial Grand Master of Canada—pretty plain evidence that the Provincial Grand Master wholly disapproved of it . He conceived that the Deputy

Provincial Grand Master had no right to petition the Grand Master , or to call the lodge he held for such a purpose a Provincial Grand Lodge ; the proper source was the Provincial Grand Master , and he felt that he ( the Earl of Zetland ) , as Grand Master of England , was perfectly justified in ignoring that petition . They asked that the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge should be altered