Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2nd., 1935. CARDINAL BOURNE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 January 1935, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2nd., 1935. CARDINAL BOURNE.

’J’HE death of Cardinal Bourne removes one who gained the esteem of many outside, as well as inside, the Church to which he belonged. He was a great Englishman as well as a great Catholic, identifying himself with manypatriotic movements. His work for the Roman Church needs no stressing, the high office he attained being proof of the appreciation felt in ecclesiastical circles. In secular matters, he was especially prominent where the welfare of the poor- ' er classes was concerned, and he lent his great influence to assist many social reform schemes. Born in London on March 23, 1861, he ; was educated at St. Edmund’s, ! Ware, and at Paris and Louvain. After some years as a parish priest in London suburbs, he became Bishop of Southwark in 1897, and Archbishop of Westminster six years later. Under his Primacy, Westminster Cathedral became of increasing national importance, and relations between Britain and the Vatican grew more cordial. Cardinal Bourne was taken seriously ill when on a visit to Rome in December, 1932. He made an excellent recovery, but in .lune, 1,933, he was taken ill with pulmonary oedema (a dropsical condition of the lungs), and for some lime bis ( condition caused grave anxiety. Last ,Jnne. be reached his jubilee , as a priest and was able to take part in the celebrations at St. Edmund's. Ware, which were characterised with great enthusiasm, i showing the popularity of the ' Archbishop. One impressive scene i was when the; procession left; the I'

chapel and Cardinal Bourne knelt I to pray for a few moments before! the altar of the Galilee Chapel, be-, neath wjhieh he expected to' be ! buried. Since that time the Cardinal had been more or less feeble, and it was realised that the end was near. There will be many tributes paid to the worth of Cardinal Bourne, who proved himself a faithful servant of both his country and his Church. It is a pathetic coincidence that at this time, another Catholic leader with whom New Zealand is more directly associated, Archbishop Redwood, ‘should also be stricken Avith serious illness. At his advanced age, approaching his 96th birthday, the major operation he has undergone, must cause his friends serious anxiety. He has shown great vitality and constitutional strength for one of his years, and it is-to be-hoped that he will make an early recovery. He is a link with the early days of New Zealand, any snapping of which the country would keenly regret.

HONOURS LIST. THE New Year honours list, so far- as the names of the recipients are piTblished, is less notable than usual. New Zealancj has two new Knights, one a successful businessman. and the other, one who, blind himself, has accomplished great benefit for his fellow sufferers. The three minor decorations bestowed call for little comment, but it is to be regretted that once again, no woman is thought worthy of inclusion, and that, apparently, only officials need expect recognition of their services. The Australian list is also on orthodox lines, the Victorian Centenary authorities being prominent. The K.B.E. for Sir Macpherson Robertson will be generally welcomed. Only the principal honours bestowed in the Motherland are announced at time of writing, and it is doubtful if the new peerages and baronetcies will arouse public enthusiasm. Wealth and political services continue to have undue dominance when choice is being made of those recommended to the King for national recognition, and whilst that standard of selection is maintained, honours lists are unlikely to fulfil adequately their important purpose.