CATHOLIC CLUBS’ CONFERENCE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1831, 10 April 1907, Page 58

CATHOLIC CLUBS’ CONFERENCE

The annual conference of delegates representing the Catholic Young Men’s Societies of New Zealand was held this year at Christchurch, and all societies were represented in person, excepting two societies which had proxies allowed them. The conference commenced on the 30th of March, and was presided o\ er by Mr A. H. Casey (vice-presi-dent of the federation). Messrs J. McGowan and A. C. Bretherton represented the 'Wellington branch of the federation.

The Rev. Father O’Connell, on behalf of Bishop Grimes, expressed the best wishes for the success of the conference, Mid hoped that all the visitors would enjoy their stay in Christchurch.

The report disclosed a satisfactory and encouraging position, reflecting credit upon the governing body, which is located in Wellington. The bal-ance-steet presented by the treasurer pioved the expenditure to be equal to receipts, but a promising financial future is assured.

Owing to Mr E. J. Leydon resigning the position of president, and Mr H. Mel Leower. the post of secretary, Messrs A. H. Casey .and P. J. McGovern were elected to fill the positions of president and secretary respectively. Mr H. McKeowen waa

elected vice-president and Mr J. McGowan (treasurer). Messrs E. J. Leydon, J. J. Callaghan, and L. JReichel were re-elected members of the executive. * ..

The editor of “The Catholic Magazine” (Mr H. McKeowen) reviewed the position of the periodical, . which is the official organ of the federation. The proposals to issue the magazine monthly, instead of quarterly, were explained and dealt with. A resolution referring the matter to the executive was approved. The proposal to make Wellington the permanent locale of the annual conferences met with much opposition. The matter was discussed at length, and at the close of the debate the supporters of Wellington were badly beaten. The next conference is to be held at Auckland. It was resolved to carry out a proposal that each club should establish a fund for the reimbursement of its delegates. The idea of instituting a medal to be uniformly worn by members was .brought under the notice of delegates. It was resolved to refer the matter to the executive to arrange design and cost, and submit the information to affiliated societies. A notice of motion by the Temuka Society regarding St. Patrick’s Day was referred to the Hibernian Society and the United Irish League to deal with.

The rules governing the federation were received from the Revision Committee, adopted, and ordered to bo printed. A suggestion to establish boys’ clubs as an adjunct to the parent body was favourably received, and a recommendation urging societies to foster boys’ clubs was carried. A notice of motion by the Ashburton Society to make life members of one society life members of a society in another town, in the event of such a member being transferred, wa3 adopted. 1 The Blenheim, Oamaru, South Dunedin, and Petone Clubs were udmitted to affiliation.