Description
Uniformity of working, and, to that end, official approval of some particular form of working, must from the very foundation of Grand Lodge have been topics of discussion amongst the brethren.
Apparently the first formal reference to the matter was at the Annual Communication held at Christchurch in April 1898, when the report of R.W. Bro. A. Bartlett, Grand Superintendent (the original name for the office now called "Provincial Grand Master") of the Auckland District contained this passage:
"In the matter of Ritual, considerable difference of opinion still exists, and I may say that the actual work is as varied as opinion . . . With a view to promote uniformity of working, a Provincial Lodge of Instruction has been formed in Auckland, under warant to the M.W.G.M., and it has commenced what I trust will prove a useful and prosperous career."
A passage in the report of the B. of G.P. is to the same effect. This gave occasion to R.W. Bro. H. J. Williams to propose, and R.W. Bro. Bartlett to second, a motion, "That it be an instruction to the B. of G.P. to consider the advisability of approving or adopting a uniform Ritual or Form of Working, and, if necessary, to recommend to Grand Lodge at the Semi-Annual Communication what steps should be taken to give effect to the proposal." (See G.L., Ann. Podgs., 1898, pp. 21, 15, 20).
