ARCHBISHOP MARELLA GIVES HIS VIEWS ON NEW ZEALAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 April 1950, Page 3

ARCHBISHOP MARELLA GIVES HIS VIEWS ON NEW ZEALAND

AUCKLAND, March 31 (P.A.).— New Zealanders are seen as “one big family” by Archbishop Paul Marella, personal delegate of Pope Pius XII in New Zealand, Australia, and Oceania. In an interview on the eve of his return to Sydney after visiting Roman Catholic communities in the Dominion, he said perhaps his outstanding impression of the country was the unity of the people. Archbishop Marella said it was apparent that New Zealand had a good foundation of family life. If this family spirit was preserved, a good and sound nation was bound to develop. It prevailed in its national sense in spite of religious distinctions and this fact indicated that New Zealand possessed real religious freedom.

Asked to comment on New Zealand’s small population compared with that of European conutries, his Excellency suggested that this was a matter on which New Zealanders themselves should decide. It was not so much a question of the amount of land available for settlement, but rather the consideration of the human qualities of the person to be settled.

New Zealand children seemed to Archbishop Marella to be healthy, happy, and extremely friendly. Wherever he went there was an urimistakeable air of prosperity and love of country which he considered was an excellent trait in the people. After spending four weeks in New Zealand his Excellency will leave by flying-boat for Sydney tomorrow. During his tour he has met hundreds of priests *and thousands of laity, and it is considered doubtful if any representative of the Pope in New Zealand has seen as much of the work of the Church as he has. Archbishop Marella showed particular interest in the education and charity being carried out in different institutions.