CATHOLIC NAVAL CHAPLAINS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 266, 7 June 1878, Page 19

CATHOLIC NAVAL CHAPLAINS.

Me. W. H. Smith seems to have made a very lucid and satisfactory speech on the Navy Estimates on March 15. Certainly his statement was well received in all parts of the House. Into the main points of tnav statement it would be quite impossible and useless for us to go but the concession, made to the Roman Catholics at the conclusion of his speech has some general political interest, and showed a kindly reeling for Catholic sailors and Irish members, which some couple of generations ago would have raised a cry against Mr. Smith for bein°m league with the Jesuits. He pointed oiit that it was impossible to put a second chaplain on board individual shins for the benefit of the Catholic officers and sailors, but as he could not do that, he would do Ins best "to attach one Roman Catholic clergyman to every fleet of say five or six large ship 3, operating at a distance from its base and troni shore, m order that in case of illness or sudden emergency or imminent danger, he might be at hand to afford the consofations of religion which might be required." This concession was, of course, taken kindly by Irish members, and only Mr. Newdegate was horrined. He uttered his protest in the deepest bass of which his lugubrious voice is capable, remarking that Roman Catholic chaplains had not hitherto been appointed because they were thought likely to endanger the discipline of the naval service, and he demanded opportunity for a separate discussion on this dangerous addition to the to the Catholic staff, an opportunity which was promised by the Crovernment. On such occasions Mr. Newdegate, as, all aghast, he dimly realises that average Conservatives of the present day, like Mr W. H, Smith, see nothing dreadful in Catholic chaplains, always reminds us of the manner in which the Apteryx or Dodo mi«-ht have protested against the horrid innovation of, using wings for Ihe purpose of flight. Mr. Newdegate evidently thinks that the prowr and legitimate use of Catholic priests is to make Protestants' blood rim cold— and none other whatever. — Spectator.