DISRUPTION?

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 76, 1 April 1910, Page 2

DISRUPTION?

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY CONFERENCE. DISSATISFIED BRANCHES. OUTSPOKEN COMMENTS. The conference of delegates from branches of the Hibernian Society was continued yesterday, after The Post went to press, Bro. P. J. Nerheny, D.P., presiding. A rather interesting discussion book place on the question of setting up a new district. • Bro. Mariow (Dunedin) referred to a feeling which was simmering in certain quarters — thafc the headquarters should be changed from Auckland to Wellington, and the district divided. The Auckland branch had been the originators of the proposal, and from remarks which had been 'inadg by Wellington delegates it appeared that they intended to form a Wellington district. It also appeared that the formation of a southern district was likely to follow. He wished to point out that the society was more than a benefit society. They were the only -Catholic body which could speak with one mind from Auckland to the Bluff While united in a" single district they could do far more good than was possible if' they separated. The branches of the future were going to be greater than those of the past, and he exhorted Hibernians to sink their differences and prevent it from, going forth that they were unable to agree in unison. He would ask delegates to consider the matter carefully before taking the step which they would surely regret later. * He recommended that no change should take place until at least, another three years had passed, and at that time the matter could be brought forward' again. Bro. Diiggan (Oamaru) said his branch had expressed by resolution at a quarterly meeting confidence in the management of the district executive at Auckland. Bro. Sellars (Thofndon) hoped all would register their voices in maintaining the integrity of the society as at present constituted. Bro. Callaghan (Wellington) said that if it came about that more than one district was established in New Zealand, he averred without hesitation that the Auckland branch was responsible for it. A circular had been sent out from Auckland with the object of influencing a vote on a motion that was to have been tabled, changing the district head-quart-ers from Auckland to Wellington. He described this action as being a most improper one, and said the Wellington branches — for which he could speak with authority — had just about "'reached the end of their tether." The meeting had been flooded with proxies by Auckland from as far south as Gore. They could not stand insults of thiß description. The thing for it was separation. Father Holbrook (Auckland) was pained beyond measure that any suggestion of disruption was made. He felt that the action of the Wellington delegates was due to a fit of bad temper. Was the meeting going to carry a vote of no-confidence in the executive — the men who had done so much for the society? One way of overcoming difficulties would be to pay the district secretary a decent salary, so -that he could devote the whole of his time to the work of the society. He could go round and visit all tie branches, and be an organiser as well as a secretary. He hoped it would not be said that Hibernians were again divided. "I was pleased," 'he said, ■"<*> hear that a cable was to be sent to the Irish party : that cable applauded unity, and hoped that dissension would be abandoned. Should we not set our own house in order?" He hoped that a suggestion like this one, which only meant disruption, would never again bo heard. . Father Yenning (Wellington) said he would not say anything that would cause a split, but it was just as well that the atmosphere should be cleared. The circular which had been referred to had no doubt been partly responsible for the trouble. Another cause was this. : that it had been published that if the headquarters were changed • from Auckland to Wellington, Auckland would form a separate district. Perhaps the difference could be patched up. He suggested that a committee of Auckland and Wellington delegates should be set up to go into the question, and report to the conference. ■ Bro. Hay ward (Canterbury) declared tiiat if it was the opinion 01 branches that the seat of the executive should be changed .to a more central position no member, branch, pr district^ board had -a right to even attempt to stifle discussion on such a question, or interrupt proposed action. Why should the District Executive say, "We are prepared to rule the society, but we will not let anybody else rule?" The circular issued by the District Executive was unworthy of it. He also said it was most improper that delegates should have been brought from Timaru and elsewhere to act as proxies for other branches, when there -were numbers of good Hibernians in Wellington who would- have been prepared to act. This was not the proper spirit. It was to be hoped that there would be no disruption, however. At 5 p.m. the discussion was adjourned.