AID TO CHURCH SCHOOLS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27048, 25 May 1953, Page 10

AID TO CHURCH SCHOOLS

COMMENT BY IRISH PRIMATE

“ SUFFERINGS OF PENAL TIMES ”

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 24.

It was surprising to a stranger visiting New Zealand that at this date disabilities existed for Roman Catholic education in this country which in genuinely progressive lands were referred to as sufferings of the penal times. This was said by the Most Rev. John C. McQuaid, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland, at the blessing and opening of a new novitiate at St. Mary’s Convent, Ponsonby, today. “In the providence of God you are permitted for the moment to endure these trials,” the Archbishop said, “until a greater measure of experienced wisdom and mature courage will intervene to render fuller justice to the church. Your Catholic schools, from all I have been able to observe, have done a noble work. The parents of the children ought to feel that here in the Catholic schools of New Zea-, land you have an organisation, an opportunity in the true sense of the word, an upbringing that rivals the best that the older countries can accord.”

Mr R. Macdonald, member of Parliament for Ponsonby. said that State aid for Roman Catholic schools was a question that would have to be faced up to eventually, no matter what Government was in power. He asked what a Government would do if all the Roman Catholic schools m New Zealand closed suddenly.