A MORE HOPEFUL SITUATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 25, 14 October 1887, Page 17

A MORE HOPEFUL SITUATION.

ETRENCHMENT, we are told, is to be the order of the day. Whatever else the new Government are to be accountable for, that is to be their sine qua non, and all their claims to support and office are to hang upon it. We have not as yet been told how the retrenchment is

to be brought about — and, with the exception of

a few hints as to clipping the salaries of the Governor and the Ministers, not to speak of the unfortunate Civil Service, whose members, like Luath in the " Twa Dogs," must feel themselves continually on "poortith's brink," we have come across no suggestions as to the particular line the saving reformations are to take. But that, perhaps, will be left to the ingenuity of the Ministry, and, although we seem to have some faint recollection that the " Continuous Ministry " rather failed also in this respect, we are open to conviction by facts that, as reconstructed, it will succeed in devising some measure of the kind. Meantime, there is a certain method of retrenchment within reach to which we wish we could believe the Government would give their attention — to which, however, the course of time, and what it brings with it, will force them, or some other Cabinet, to give attention, but not, perhaps, before, unhappily, extremes have been arrived at, in presence of which they must act whether they will or not. We allude to retrenchuent by means of rational and necessary amendments of the Education Act.

In another place we publish the text of a petition that is about to be presented to Parliament on behalf of the Catholics of the diocese of Wellington, and in which, among several very excellent points put forward, that also touching on retrenchment is to be found. The time, indeed, should be most opportune for the presentation of this petition, and it should meet with a fate much more favourable than those which have preceded it. — The agitation by Catholics to obtain their rights in the matter of education has never ceased since Dr. Moran, on the first moment of his arrival in the Colony, commenced it — much to the surprise and indignation of certain good people, who took it as a matter of course that Catholics should be content to enjoy the privilege of having their children educated in Protestant schools, as the schools then were, by Protestant teachers, who used for the purpose books in which all that was Catholic was constantly vilified and slandered. They did not in the least understand why an agitator and reformer should n ppear among them to disturb their comfortable ways, and b,..jging with him the vigour and energy, as weli as the indomitable courage, that were distinctive characteristics of the national priesthood to which he belonged, and whose methods had been tried, and found efficacious after long years of adversity and struggle. The combat that Dr. Moran began in the Province of Otago he extended in due time to the whole Colony — and we owe it to his advocacy and influence if to-day

the Catholic claims are better understood and the Catholic position more respected in New Zealand. Where he failed to convince Protestants who would not be convinced, he at least succeeded in instructing Catholics and rousing the Catholic spirit among them, so that now what they have done by persevering sacrifice and manly resolution obtains the admiration of every candid and honourably minded man in the Colony. We find, for example, by a report published in the New Zealand Times that a lay member of the Anglican Synod recently held at Wellington declared at one of the sittings that " the Catholics had set a bright and noble example in promoting religious instruction for their children." The Synod, moreover, at the same sitting, with some few exceptions, professed itself strongly in favour of denominational education, which, it was argued, would be the means of effecting a very important saving. — And one of the clerical members, again, pointed as a hopeful sign to the fact that the Catholics, as he said, " were more than ever determined to get some alteration made in their favour."

The time to petition Parliament, therefore, should prove opportune. — The course taken by Dr. Moran has produced results that force themselves upon the attention of the Colony , and to which honourable members cannot be insensible. Some means must be found of reducing the public expenditure, and no way eeems so feasible or just as that which lies in amending the Education Act. We may, therefore, hope for better results than those produced by petitions that were presented in less favourable times and when nothing but the resolution of Dr. Moran to keep the question living and before the public cou'd have encountered the cold discouragement and insolent, systematic, opposition or neglect that were the characteristics of the moment.

Let us hope, then, that this petition may give the coup de grace to a system of oppression that, though grievous and harmful, has been weakened by continual exposure, and thwarted by brave and well-sustained efforts and resolution. But if once more a failure of justice occurs, there is still life and vigour in the source whence the demand for justice and irrepressible opposition to injustice arose, and we can answer for it that the contest will not be relaxed.

We learn from the Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times that a meeting has been held of members favourable to the introduction of Bible reading into the public schools. Mr. Pyke, who was present, moved a resolution to the effect that the Bill introduced by him in 1885 should be incorporated with any measure adopted, and spoke strongly in favor of making provision to comply with the Catholic claims, Sir John Hall seconding the resolution. An amendment, however, proposed by the Hon Mr, Holmes and seconded by Mr t Fish, was carried unanimously as follows. — " That this meeting is of opinion that legislative provision should be made whereby the Bible may be read daily in the public schools and that a Bill to this effect should be introduced into the House of Representatives." We gather from the report, nevertheless, that this does not mean that the Catholic claims are to be shelved, but that members consider that the questions should be dealt with separately. Indeed, the names of several of those gentlemen who attended the meeting are a bufficient guarantee of this, as well as the action taken by Mr. Pyke and Sir John HallThe Catholic position, therefore, begins to look very hopeful.

We learn that the Rev. Father Ginaty, S.M., finding the complete devotion of his time necessary to promote the interests of his great undertaking, the Magdalen Asylum, has withdrawn from the other duties attendant on the missionary rectorship of Christchurch, his place being taken by the Rev. Father Le Meaant des Chesnais, B.M. The zeal with which Father Ginaty has given himself up to the service of religion during his pastorate is warmly le3tified to by the people to whom he has ministered. Father Le Menant des Cheanaia is engaged in making preparation) for the reception of the Most Rev. Dr. Grimes which, in common with the members of his flock, he is desirous of seeing all" that is due to a Uattiolic bishop and an ecclesiastic of high distinction, as well as creditable to a Catholic people.

A concert under the patronage of the i1.A.C.8.5. will be given in Naumann's Hall, South Dunedin, on Thursday, November 3. T*<^_ object is to asaist a member of the -Sociaty who some years ago mn with an accident on the railway by which he haß been completel disabled. We need hardly say such aVcsyect descives support a . recommends itself to the consideration of ..ill well -disposed people.

Wk record with sorrow the death at Kara, v- 1 .>:' Me. J >ua iljrau , a West Coast miner of sterling worth and llot;u t ; bUiudiug. Mr. Moran . who was 61 years of age, had resided for twenty-two yeirfl on th

Coast, where as an Irishman and a Catholic he had no superior.— 8.1.P.

The new Parliament was opened at Wellington on Thursday, 6th wst. ; and on Tuesday Major Atkinson announced the formation of the Cabinet as follows :— Major Atkinson, Premier, Colonial Treasurer, and Postmaster-general ; Mr. E- Mitchelson, Minister for Public Works and Native Minister ; Mr. T. W. Hislop, Colonial Secretary , Mr. T. Fergus, Minister of Justice and Defence ; Mr. G. Fisher, Minister of Education ; Mr. Q. F. Richardson, Minister of Lands' Immigration, and Mines ; Sir. F. Whitaker, Attorney -general ; Hon! Mr. Stevens in the Upper House without portfolio. We do not know that there is anything particular for us to say about this Ministry. Some of its members are untried as Ministers and of those that are familiar in the character there is no very favourable record to recall. But the old proverb says, "It is never too late to mend," and as long as it is possible, we shall hope for the best. There is, at least, plenty of room for improvement and urgent need of it.

IN the Anglican Synod lately held in Wellington strong arguments were urged in favour of denominational education, which was preferred to the introduction of Bible-reading into the schools. Among the reasons brought forward in advocacy of the change were the saving to the country that must result ; the inefficiency of the present system, which fails notably in country districts, where large tracts containing numerous children are unprovided with schools ; and the peculiar nature of the prevailing larrikinism, which a gentleman who judged by his personal experience pronounced worse than anything to be found among the factory boys of the great English cities. The speaker referred to what he called the "educated well-bred larrikins." The Right Rev. President pledged himself to continue his denunciation of the godless system as long as he should live.

The Pectoral Cross to be presented to Dr. Grimes, the new Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, is very elegant, the deeign being by Mr. J. F. Stratz, jeweller, 261 High street, Christchurch. It is an Irish Trefoil Cross, with shamrocks and lilies entwined and embossed on it, and the crest of the Bishop engraved in the centre. It is 4£ inches in length and weighs 4 ounces of solid gold ; attached is a solid gold Cttain, 66 Inches m length, complete with slide and tassel, weighing 5 ounces. Mr. Stratz received the order to make them, which he did on his premises, and has them now exhibited in one of his windows. As this is the first pectoral cross and chain manufactured in Christchurch, and most likely in the colonies, Mr. Stratz must be congratu. lated on the very handsome and artistic manner in which they are finished.

When all the branches of trade and industry in Ireland for which Government aid and encouragement is alleged to be necessary are considered it might almost seem as if some exaggeration existed, at least in the expectations of what must result. The aiding hand is claimed in every direction, and if there be Jno fault on the part of the paople, the sum of culpabl c neglect to be amended is indeed gigantic. Where there is not neglect there is mismanagement, as, fDr, instance, in the railway system which,|although managed by ten times as many directors, with an immense staff of assistants, as those who manage a certain English company owning a line of almost equal mileage, and possessing a capital three times as great and annual receipts amounting to four times the capital and receipts combined of all the Irish railways, is etill a dismal failure, and an impediment rather than an assistance to the welfare of the country. The management of the Irish railways needs Government control and assistance ; so do the flax and woollen trades ; so does the drainage of the country ; so does agriculture, and, in short, everything almost that can be thought of. There are, however, two examples that may be pointed to as proving conclusively that neither the claims made nor the expectations of results formed axe wild or exaggerated. There is the enterprise of Mrs. Hart in Donegal by which it is proved how effectively the people may be aided by instruction, supervision, and assistance. There are, besides, and on a larger scale, the great results produced in Baltimore by the judicious liberality towards the fisheries of the Lady Burdett-Coutts. The necessary conclusion come to, therefore, is that culpable neglect has hitherto prevailed, and that it always must prevail, until a system of local government is.'established to.deal fully with all that requires amendment. The task is beyond the power of the Imperial Parliament, even if the goodwill to undertake it were present there— and can be performed only under the system of Home Rule.

One or other of the London weeklies publishes a letter which is supposed to contain a faithful ilJustration of the general state of affairs in Ireland. The correspondent relates how an awful and wonderful construction in the way of a baby who had just learned to talk, on being told that the mother of a little comrade was dead naively inquired " Who shot her." " There is where the joke comes in." Irish babies take it as a matter of course that everyone who

dies has been shot. Terily, a dreadful country standing sorely in need of perpetual coercion I

The days when the doings of Irish landlordism or the Government that backs it up can be misrepresented with impunity in England are evidently gone by for ever, Mr. Norman, the correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette, who was present at the Bodyke evictions, was contradicted by Mr. Balfour, speaking in Parliament, who said that the reports published were a mass of fabrications. Mr. Norman now publishes his letters in book form, and challenges Mr. Balfour to repeat his contradiction of the statements made, in any place where Parliamentary privileges may not hold him irresponsible, so that the troth or falsehood of the matter may be proved in a court of law. But Mr. Balfour preserves a prudent silence, leaving the country to judge. Of what its verdict will be we cannot entertain much doubt.

The Roman correspondent of the Nation gives the following directions as to sending jubilee gifts to Rome :— They must be addressed as followß : Vatican Exhibition. To his Holiness the Sovereign Pontiff, Leo XIII., Vatican, Rome, (Italy).— The objects must be car efully packed, and each must have attached a small card indicating the name and surname of the donor, the name of his diocese, the name of the object, aud, if the exhibit is intended to compete for diplomas and medals, the formula of declaration prescribed by the regulations of the Commission Promotrice or the National Committee. The nature of the articles must be clearly indicated on the despatch notes. Immediately after the despatch of the exhibits the sender must advise the Roman committee by a letter to " Mgr. le Command. Filippo Tolli, Via della Maddalena, N. 27, Rome "; of the date of despatch, the place from which they have been sent, the list of articles contained in the case, the name and surname of the donor, and a copy of the declaration prescribed for articles intended for competition. If more than two cases are sent they must be numbered, and the number indicated in the above letter accordingly. The articles must be sent, carriage paid, to Rome Articles so sent will be free from all Italian tax. No letter must be' enclosed or otherwise the parcel would run the risk of confiscation.

The news of the reception which Monsignor Persico is receiving from the Irish people is producing a lively satisfaction here (writes the Roman correspondent of the Nation). The declaration of his Excellency that the Holy Father would receive with joy these expressions of the l«ve of the children of St. Patrick is noted ; and one of the journals recalls the fact that when in London in 1846, the Pope, then Nuncio at Brussels, met O'Connell, » which fact," says the writer, is one bond more between Leo XIII. and his Irish children."'

Mb. Gladstone still keeps up his heart, and seems cheered by the prospect of nearly approaching success. In replying the other day to a deputaton from Kidderminster, which presented him with a handsome carpet, he predicted the speedy settlement of the Irish question, and attributed it to the action of the Tories. The congratu. lations thus bestowed upon them iv advance must be particularly pleaßiog to Lord Salisbury and his party.

Mb. bKiGHT declares that a necessity exists for Irish tenants to free themselves from the suspicion of conspiring to encourage dishonesty and crime. But who suspects them ? Or is it worth their while or possible for them to clear themselves in the eyes of men whose interest lies in such suspicion?, and who, in spite of all evidence, are bound to invent them. Mr. Bright should propose to his friends that they should clear themselves from prejudice and voluntary blind* nes9, so that the undertaking he proposes to the Irish tenants may have a fair prospect of success.

Is it conducive to the peace of Europe, which Signor Crispi boasts has been secured by the alliance formed by him for Italy with Austria

and Germany, that he openly declares the step was taken to thwart

the designs of Russia towards the Levant ? And also that the purpose of checking French aggression has been stated to have entered closely into the matter ? It may be so, but there are still various considerations that seem to make the idea doubtful. We have, for example, heard an influential Russian newspaper express an opinion that the consolidation of the German Empire depended on the weakening of Russia and France— and that Prince Bismarck was prepared to effect this when the time arrived.— ls it likely that Russia and France wil patiently await the threatened hour 1

A minute by which a Blue-book recently issued ou track- v ions is prefaced givea the total membership throughout the country as probably amounting (o 600,000. The percentage of unemp oyed is high and that of the sick and superannuated is quite suffi..ent. To pioTide for these chances is one of the most useful objects of the nnioos, The report contradicts a common notion that trade-unions demand a uniform rate of wages. What they do is to lay down a minimum

rate, below which members shall not work. Nor can the enforcement of this Minimum rate be said to be in any sense arbitrary. As a strict matter of fact it is as much fixed by the employer as by the

The latest demonstration made by the French Government in hostility to religion was an attempt to interfere with the celebration at Poitiers of the centenary of St. Jfciadegonde on August 14th. The police, acting under strict orders, did their best to prevent the peopl c from taking part in the ceremonies, but without any very remarkable success. The attempt, however, shows what the disposition of the authorities who preside over the fortunes of the Republic really is. How long must Catholic France endure their rule, or what will be the nature of its termination ?

Tke report that Mr. Chamberlain proceeds to the North of Ireland to promote the cause of Union among the Orangemen speaks bodefully for the fortunes of the Liberal-Unionists. Things must, ndeed, have fallen very low with them when their champion finds it necessary to appeal to religious bigotry on such a well-used field. The time honoured trick, however, can hardly now prove of much avail, and the resort to it must only serve to give additional encouragement to the Nationalists by the weakness it betrayß. Id the commotion, nevertheless, that will probably ensue, some lives may be lost, for which tho unhappy Joe will be accountable. Let us not forget the sad coincidence of the sudden death of poor Lord Iddesleigh, arising from agitation— and which could not fait to remind us of the nun who died from a somewhat similar cause during his illomened visit to Ulster — also undertaken in the cause of Unionism.

One of the most painful, if it be also one of the most ludicrous, incidents that have taken place in connection with the dynamite scare has been the arrest and imprisonment of Mademoiselle Drouin at Cowes. The unfortunate lady, who was suffering from ill health, had been recommended to pay a visit to the Isle of Wight, as well for the effects of the se.i passage as for the change of climate. She was told, she says, that she would find the place a Paradise, but she pathetically adds, that so far she found it only a Purgatory. The lady, who is the daughter of a late professor in the Fine Art School at Rouen, and who seemo to have inherited artißtic tastes, unfortunately carried with her a bag containing a small quantity of clay to be uped in modelling. This substance to the official eye assumed the appearance of dynamite, and led to the incarceration of its owner. After a vexatious inquiry and an imprisonment of three days, the unhappy lady was discbaiged, but without compensation or apology. It is needless to say that the affair has created some sensation in France, and more especially at Rouen, where Mile. Drouin is well known. A moral may be drawn, meantime, that the English Government should free the official mind from all fear of dynamite by relinquishing the unjust struggle that afflicts all who are engaged on the wrong side with an evil conscience.

General de So.nis, who, together with General Chaiette, led the Pontifical Z .uaves at the Battle of Putay in 1870, losing a leg in the fight, died on August 15th. Tne General was as remarkable for the consistent and fervent piety that characterised his life as a Catholic, as he was for bravery in his career as a soldier. Before the Franco-German war took place, De Sonis had distinguished himself in the Italian campaign.

The outbreak of cholera in Sicily has been accompanied by a

display of the extraordinary popular superstition as to the disease's

being the work of poisoners. In some instances even the Sisters of | Mercy irao weat to attend on the sufferers were violently diiven away under the prevailing suspicion, the patients themselves taking part in the rough treatment y^v^n to thjm. At a place called Leonforte a serious conflict took place be! ween the peasants and a bo<Jy of gendarmes, who were attacked —^s being engaged in the nefarious spread of the pestilence. Tne cholera has also been heavy in the neighbourhood of lijme, and some cases have occurred in the city. Sanitary meisures were adopted for its prevention.

It seems adding insult to injury that the Russian papers should make light of Lord Salisbury's satisfaction at the settlement of the Algb.au frontier question. Ihe Nuvoe Vrcniya, a semi-official orsjan at St. Petersbuig, commenting on his LjrdsLip's recent speech at the London Mantioti House, wnere he prof' ssul uituself as much pleased at the settlement alluded to, v.s well us extremely confident with lespect to the preservation of European peace, declares that he is easily contented. And, as we know that Kussia gained all the advantage, and obtained alm< st everything she had oiiginally demanded, the tiuth of the declaration is manifest. But, nevertheless, it comes from a sinister quarter. The Ntvoe Vremya further avows that Lord Salisbuiy's views as to peace are very doubtful. Peace, it affirms, is altogether due to the disinclination of the Emperor of Geimany to uituess a revival of war. But, it adds, preparations are ben g busily made for what most likely will occur when the Empeior is no longer present to hinder it, and we must remember that his

Majesty is advanced in his 91st year. Prince Bismarck, says this newspaper, knows that the consolidation of the German Empire depends on the weakening of those powers to whose interest such a measure would be opposed. He relied on the friendship of Russia for Germany, and the lasting inferiority of the military power of France but both these points of reliance have failed him, and now he must look for some other support. The Nbvoe Vremya thinks the result will not be in accordance with Lord Salisbury's peaceful predictions.

The Coercion Act has been brought into complete ridicule by the appearance in court of Mr. T. D. Sullivan, when summoned for publishing in the Ration reports of the suppressed branches of the League, in his Lord Mayor's robes, and attended by the alderm.no. Even the majesty of British law gave way before such an apparition and assumed a very shame-faced and insignificant position. We can well fancy that the scene in court was a very remarkable one, and quite unique in the history of prosecutions. As a matter of course the case was dismissed, and it is evident from the wailing of tho anti-national Press that the Government's notice of appeal was a mere empty ceremony which was intended to go no further. The Press referred to call upon the executive to act with vigour, but ai their doing so would entail proceedings which they dare not employ in view of the aroused attention of the English public, and daa deference being paid to the signs of the times given by the recent bye-elections, the voice of the charmer is likely to find the adder*! ears in their traditional state of deafness. The League, it seems, goes merrily on as usual in all its suppressed branches and nothing can be done to prevent it, with the exception of the complaints that are made of the extreme impropriety of its action so far as they go. Law and order are quite outraged because a becoming respect is not shown to the requirements of Mr. Balfour — who, by the way bids fair to prove immediately even a more futile and ludicrous object than any of his predecessors, which is saying a great deal. Coercion in all probability will be the speedy destruction of the MinistryPlayed with and used merely as an idle threat, or a bug-a-boo to frighten children, it overwhelms them with derision, but used in earnest it would cause enormities which would swamp them in de* testation and reproach. We may (well believe Lord Rosebery, who, speaking at Ipswich, is reported as saying in this connection that the confidence of the British people in them is being rapidly forfeited.

The Government has now fallen in with a jewel, and the very broth-of-a-boy above all others whom they wanted. We refer to one Mr, Coleman, who has come forward to confirm all that the Tines ha 3 been engaged for many months in publishing with relation to Parnellism and dime, with something more, if possible, thrown in by way of a raake«weight. Mr. Coleman's antecedents might, perhaps, be found fault with by over particular people, for, in the course of his brilliant career, he has been a convicted thief and a deserter from the army, and he still remains a drunkard. But what •f that? In vino veritas, and Mr. Coleman in his cups may be a sufficiently reliable person. He has only to swear away the lives or reputations of inconvenient Irish agitators, and the least grain of truth in the world should suffice for that. Indeed, there are ground! for asserting that it can be done without any truth at all. There will, moreover, bi the additional advantag that Mr. Coleman, when he has sworn all he is wanted to swear, can be shut up in gaol, as at least a deserter, so that nobody can shoot him, and so that he might even be prcducjd again to swear if he were wanted on sjme future day. The particular value of Mr. Coleman's evidence, meant imp, is that it seems to compromise Mr. Dillon, who, he declares, by his denunciation of land-grabbers recently caused a fatal moon* light outrage in Clare. This was a vision which, possibly, Mr, Coleman saw in the sparkling glass, but in vino veritas, as we have said, and who can say, if Mr. Coleman swears it, that it is not true ? It is to be hoped that Mr, Coleman will not prove too strong a morsel to be digested in the. maw of the Salisbury Ministry, for he appeari to be a trouvaille of a most inestimable nature, and one moat consistent with the tactics that have hitherto been employed. If forgery be creditable in the columns of the London Times, why should not desertion, thieving, and dinnkenness be becoming in the person of Mr. Culemau ?

Mr. F. W. Lake, Moray Place. Dmiedin, is ready to execute, on the mo 4 satisfactory terms, all commissions in connection with the tinsmith's, plumber's !.ud gasritter's trade. All articles belonging to the business are also constantly in sttck. Mr. Lake's water tanks are puticularly recommetided.

Kirkpa trick's jam and tomato sauce are unsurpassed in the market. A trial is all they need to prove their excellence.

"Rough o< Corns."— Ask for Weli»' " iiough on Corns. Qu'ek re'ief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts, bunions At heinists and druggists.

Professor Kicbard A. Proctor, the eminent English astronomer, lias decided to brc >me an American citiz n. He ha 3 purchased a tract of land at Orau^e Lake, Pla., and is erecting a cosy cottage ( Proiessor Procter was born in 1837.