THE MARTIN CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 250, 21 October 1924, Page 4

THE MARTIN CASE.

-r— The only criticism to be made of Bishop Cleary's statement about the Martin case is that it miglH profitably have been issued sooner, but no doubt the Bishop had reasons that are quite good to him for his delay. The statement, which makes some people look foolish, shows that his own part in the affair and that of his church have been entirely proper and honourable. He states, for example, that he did not know of Miss Martin's whereabouts until three days after her mother had Been informed. Dr. Cleary's statement ends with a positive assertion that "the immediate cause of Miss Martin's departure from home had no connection with any Catholic person, or with any Catholic institution, or with any religious views held by the young lady in question." This is a most important statement. Normally an incident like this would not be a.matter for comment, but in this case considerations have been involved which give the cause of the departure a public importance. , It is possible that some persons are to blame for not informing Mrs. Martin that her daughter was with a Catholic private family, but surely the action of ' these persons cannot be judged unless all the facts are disclosed. All the facts are not publicly known, and apparently they will be known only if Miss Martin chooses to disclose the motives which actuated her in leaving home without the knowledge or consent of her mother.