ARCHBISHOP LISTON

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27307, 25 March 1954, Page 7

ARCHBISHOP LISTON

PUBLIC RECEPTION AT AUCKLAND

CELEBRATION OF JUBILEE IN PRIESTHOOD

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 24.

The Auckland Town Hall was full, and many persons were turned away, for the public reception and presentation to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland (Archbishop J. M. Liston) tonight on the occasion of his jubilee in the priesthood. Present were most of the hierarchy of the Church, the Prime Minister (Mr Holland), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) the Deputy-Mayor (Mr K. N. Buttle), members of Parliament, and chairmen and members of Auckland local bodies. Mr W. S. Otto, representing 100,000 Roman Catholics in the diocese, presented Archbishop Liston with a cheque. Mr Buttle said that during the depression Archbishop Liston was in the forefront of a metropolitan relief committee and worked “regardless of race and creed in a manner truly Christian.” Mr Holland spoke of “his very good personal friend,” and said that on behalf of Parliament he wished to do honour to one who had earned the respect and gratitude not only of the people of Auckland but, indeed, of the people all over the country. Speaking of New Zealand as a hospitable land, Archbishop Liston, in his reply, said that he wanted to make a plea for the wider opening of the doors of New Zealand to the refugees of Europe. “I make that plea in the cause of Christian charity,” he said. “There are still about 1,000,000 refugees in Europe today living in abject misery. They are a challenge to our Christian charity.” He added: “A good man, Mr Peter Fraser, found during one of his visits overseas a number of Polish children and he gave them New Zealand’s hospitality, freedom, and plenty. Since then a succession of countries has helped thousands and thousands of refugees, and I plead for a still wider opening of our own doors.” Archbishop Liston said that there were millions to the north of New Zealand hungry, restless, and on the march. “In some cases they are being stirred to envy and hatred of us. We must make sure that our country does not fall enslaved like some 15 others in the world. It is impossible for us to hold this country for your children very much longer unless we are ready to throw open our doors.”