TRANSPLANTED IRISH INSTITUTIONS - University of Canterbury

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The L.O.1. did not have much success politically until the fonnation of the P.P.A.
In 1917. The P.P.A. did make an impact in the political arena, but eventually they became
defunct. The L.O.1. survived and this would have been due to the fraternalism between the
Orangemen. Their survival was also reflected in their changes over a period of time.
In
1906, the L.O.I. stated in its Declaration of Principles that it would "afford assistance to
distressed members of the Institution, and otherwise promote such laudable and benevolent
purposes as may tend to the due ordering of religion and Christian charity. "8 It remained a
secret society but it also became a charitable organization, with the new focus of giving aid
to the wider community.
The Hibernians also functioned as a fraternal brotherhood although their main
function was to be a benefit society. Both institutions had ritualism but the Hibernians
disowned the secretive passwords and ceremonies as these were abhorrent to the Catholic
Church. The driving force of these two institutions was expressed in their activities. The
L.O.I. was overtly anti-Catholic whereas the Hibernians were more pro-Catholic in that they
espoused the teachings and doctrines of the Catholic Church.
The Church defended
Catholics in New Zealand against the allegations of the L.O.I. therefore the Hibernians did
not have to organize anti-Protestant campaigns.
The Irish Catholics transplanted the ultramontanism of Ireland to New Zealand,
and the Hibernian Society fitted into this concept as it was another way of separating
Catholics from the influence of Protestants. The Hibernian Society stated that
We are united as Catholics, not only for the wise purpose of making provision against those
casualties to which all are liable, and of assisting those of our members who require our aid, but
also for that moderate enjoyment and social intercourse so essential in a mixed community to our
spiritual and temporal welfare. 9
The Hibernians tried to act primarily as a benefit society for Catholics and thus provide
financial assistance that the Catholic Church did not.
The benefit functions of the
H.A.C.B.S. was a lure for Catholics to leave other benefit societies that had masonic rituals
which the Church condemned. It was also a way to minimize contact with Protestants which
8Constitution and Laws of the Loyal Orange Institution of New Zealand, North Island, Auckland, Star
Office, 1906, p. 3.
9H.A.C.B.S. Ritual Book For the Use of Male, Ladies, and Mixed Branches, Melbourne, National
Directory, 1963, p. 7.