MEETING AT CROMWELL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 325, 11 July 1879, Page 19

MEETING AT CROMWELL.

On Tuesday the first instant the Catholics of this locality held a meeting called principally for the purpose of taking steps to send a deputation, or appoint a delegate to the aggregate meeting proposed to be held in Dunedin. The gathering assembled wag pretty large, considering the inclemency of the weather, and consequently the difficulty of sending timely notice to the Catholics in the outlying portions of the district. Business commenced by the meeting calling on Mr. J. Hayes, of Cromwell, to take the chair, and appointing Mr. J. McGilligott secretary. The chairman, on rising to address the meeting explained in a few appropriate remarks the object for which it was called ; and added that he could not let the present opportunity pass without saying a few words on the injustice which the existing Education Act inflicted on the Catholics of New Zealand. In a free country such as we are led to believe New Zealand to be, all sections of the community are supposed to receive equal benefits at the hands of a paternal Government, yet he could not help thinking how very like tyranny it was to compel Catholics to pay taxes to maintain a system of education from which they derived no benefit. To a casual observer, indeed, the existence of Catholics in this colony would seem to be totally ignored by our legislators ; but on closer inquiry this does not seem to be the case, for in the matter of taxation they were called upon equally with the other portions of the community to contribute their share to the public treasury. When the disbursement of this money takes place, it is then they are forgotten. He had no donbt, however, of their grievance being redressed, if all the Catholics throughout New Zealand united in protesting against so glaring an injustice. The speaker resumed his seat amidst applause. Mr. P. Cahill remarked that he often heard it stated that in the matter of education Catholics were labouring under a sentimental grievance. How unfounded such statements were, they had only to look round and see what was being done by the Catholics in the various centres of population throughout the colony. They would then see how Catholic schools were established and supported without receiving one farthing of assistance from the Government. Sentimental indeed ! Mr. J. Richards said that in accordance with the object for which the meeting was called he considered that, taking everything into account, length of journey, inclemency of the season, loss of time to be incurred by these forming a deputation, it would be best to appoint some one residing in Dunedin or its neighbourhood to act as delegate. He therefore would propose that Mr. Michael Conellan, of Dunedin, be requested to act as delegate for the Catholics of Cromwell at the forthcoming aggregate meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. P. Cahill and carried unanimously. The secretary was instructed to write to Mr. Conellan asking him to comply with the request of the meeting. Some discussion took place as to whether any instructions, should be given the delegate. It was proposed by Mr. Heany, and approved of by the meeting that " It would be well to suggest to the delegate, leaving him at the same time free to act, to bring under the consideration of the aggregate meeting the advisableness of appointing a permanent central committee to act as a referee on questions regarding Catholic education that may be brought before Parliament, and to assist the outlyiug districts in the education difficulties that may arise from time to time." He believed that such a measure would greatly tend to streagthen the Catholic party, by uniting politically all the members of the different scattered districts under one head. After Borne further discussion on matters educational ef local interest, the meeting was brought to a close with the usual vote of thanks to the chair.