P.P.A. MEETING.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 158, 5 July 1921, Page 2

P.P.A. MEETING.

A meeting of the Parnell Branch of the Protestant Political Association was held in the Congregational Schoolroom in Green Lane last evening. The attendance was well over 100. Councillor J. B Patcrson wns in the chair. Mr. J. S. Dickson, M.P., stated that the recent legislation in connection with the Te Temere Decree nnd with reference to denominational schools was in the interests of tbe community, and momT>ers of Parliament were recognising the necessity of such an organisation as the Protestant Political Association. The Rev. Mr. Ralph stated that he had been a member of the Protestant Political Association for some considerable time, and whilst he honoured the saintly life of many Roman Catholics, yet lie could not agree with the lloman Catholic Church interfering in our political life. Mr. J. F. W. Dickson, who had chosen for his address the subject, "Was the British Empire on the Wane,"' pointed out, that it appealed to him that the only possible way of keeping the Ktnpire cemented was for the Empire to become more closely associated economically and politically Tariff walls had been raised by all countries, and it could not be suggested that the British workmen could possibly live on the wages paid to our foreign competitors such as the Japanese or Chinese. It was, therefore, essential for the British Empire to enter into a preference arrangement. Politically, the position was unsatisfactory, and the present Imperialistic system must give way to a federal system under which New Zealand w-ould be represented by, say, two members in the British Parliament who would be there to raise an Empire aspect in respect of all matters affecting the British Empire. Britain must become known as Great Britain unlimited. Touching on the Trish question, Mr. Dickson said that he respected all religions, and he claimed that as president of the Protestant Political Association he would be the first to insist upon absolute liberty of con-science, but he could not help feeling that the Roman Catholic Chwch, in its attitude on conscription in Ireland, and also in Canada and Australia, and on the Irish question generally, showed the impropriety of any church entering into politics. Dr. Mannix said "England is Ireland's enemy and always will he your enemy," and his support of the Sinn Feiners meant that one of the highest ecclesiastics of Australia was supporting a movement to break up the Empire, and he would hosist, and we should all resist, such a! movement from any part of society. If New Zealand were severed from" the Empire, he could only predict Ihat it would not be long before the Eastern hordes would conquer New Zealand.