TRANSPLANTED IRISH INSTITUTIONS - University of Canterbury

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Catholicism which was seen as a 'perverted system.' The division between the individual
Catholic and the Church was not always stressed by Orangemen and thus individual
Catholics could be targeted along with their religion.
The Loyal Orange Institution in New Zealand was more than just a group of
'militant' Protestants. It was not simply focused on fraternalism, the internal dynamic, but it
was also a "religious and political society. "89 The religious adherence was straightforward
but their political views could be a point of contention within their own ranks.
From the
New Zealand stance, their politics were summed up as "Loyalty to the British Crown and
Constitution, and the maintenance of a Protestant succession on the Throne; also, Fealty to
the Constitution of the Colony in which we live, with a jealous watchfulness over our civil
and religious rights and privileges. "90 These generalized allegiances state their resolve to
uphold the British monarchy if it remained Protestant, and the Constitution in New Zealand.
This "jealous watchfulness" suggested that the Loyal Orange Institution saw itself
as the watchdog of civil and religious liberty.91 According to one set of general rules for
the North Island looges in 1883, a member could be punished for "voting for a Roman
Catholic" in the government elections.92 This highlights the sense of control that the L.O.I.
tried to enforce on their members.
Grand Master H.J. Ranger, in 1902 at the Annual
Session of the Grand Orange Lodge of New Zealand, Middle Island, implored to those
gathered- "I pray that ye Orangemen rise up in your might, and take an active part in
political, municipal, and educational matters. Orangemen, assert yourselves. "93
89Op. ciL, Drew, p. 4.
9OJbid., p. 4.
911t must be remembered that Protestantism and Liberty were the twin foundations of Orangeism.
nOp. ciL, Laws and Ordinances, 1883, p. 8.
93Grand Orange Lodge of New Zealand, Middle Island. Report of Proceedings of the Thirty-Sixth Annual
Session, 29 December 1902, p. 6. Although it may seem that Orangemen were urged to vote on 'Orange'
issues they did not necessarily do so. When the Oamaru L.O.L. No. 19 received a letter from another
lodge in May 1898, asking them to cooperate with the securing of an inspection of Catholic convents,
they showed reluctance at using this as a single voting issue. This lodge agreed with the idea of the
inspection but refused to reject any Parliamentary candidate who did not agree with them on this single
issue. 'Loyal Orange Lodge No. 19 Minute Book', 16 May 1898.