THE QUESTION OF LOYALTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22023, 4 August 1933, Page 7

THE QUESTION OF LOYALTY

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I am not particularly interested in tile Irish question, but I must admit being intrigued by a letter signed “A. J. R.” appearing in your issue of Thursday last. He complains apparently that his previous letters— unfortunately they escaped my notice, —were not replied to in the way he would desire. He also appeal’s, vexed that he should be accused of bigotry. Judging from Thursday’s effort, I should think intolerance and stupidity would be more suitable terms for him. What on earth the inspection by Government officials of Catholic institutions has to do with loyalty is hard to say, but perhaps he is not very good at explaining what he means. If he knew anything about Catholic doctrine he would know that it is impossible for any true Catholic to bo anything but loyal to his country if he practises his religion faithfully. It is too much perhaps to ask "A. J. R.” to investigate for himself with an open and impartial mind. Rut let him he warned beforehand. I have known several intellectual men who were as bitter as ho is, but who decided to investigate for themselves. To-day they are Cathojies. One in particular I have in mind. Ho wondered, if all the “wickedness” alleged against Catholics and their church were true, why it was'that Catholic churches were always so uncomfortably full while many other places of worship were comparatively empty on Sundays. He found out why, and I don’t think it would be possible to find a stauncher Catholic than lie’ is to-day.

To return to Ireland, from wdiich I fear I have digressed. How can “A. J. R.” blame the Catholic Church for Mr de Valera’s policy? Mr Cosgrave, who takes the opposite view to Mr de Valera, is also a Catholic, and a good one. So were the majority of his Ministers when he was in power. What has “A. J. R.” to say about Ulster in 1913-14? Were not preparations being made in that “ loyal ” province to engage in civil war against the Empire? In addition, I think reference to the files of your paper of about that time will show that many people in the North of Ireland had placed the German Kaiser s picture in honoured places in their houses in preference to that of our own King. That, of course, w r as before the war. I presume that, according to “A. J. R.,” such acts were not disloyalty.—l am, etc., Taranaki, Stratford. July 30.