H. A. C. B. S.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 43, 15 February 1889, Page 13

H. A. C. B. S.

It is nsarlj three yean linct the new District Board was established in Auckland, and none will deny the wisdom of adopting the resolutions of the Wellington Conference on the formation of one District Board, thereby uniting all the branches of New Zealand. Although AuckUnd was not the most convenient or central place for the Executive, yet the strength of Hibernianiim in Auckland justly entitles it to be the oontroliug power in the colony. As this is a very important question to Irish Catholics, the discussion of the question cf due representation of the everal braucht-B at the annual meetings will fittingly find a place in the columns of the Tablet. Before, however, entering into details, it may not be out of place to refer tv the large number of Irishmen who give the Society the cold shoulder. These may be divided into two classes— viz., those wbosj social position happily enables them to dispense with benefits of the Society, but whose intelligence and presence would be of vabt advanage to the Society, its go\ eminent and welfare; the ether class consists of those, whose interest it ii to belong to such a society, especially in times of sickness or accident, and yet by sheer indifference, or to use a stronger and |more appropriate term — stupidity, neglect to join when they can, to regret afterwards in advancing yeais and reverse circumstances that they did not. It is the only Irish Catholic Society in the colonies, and it is not to the credit of either the two forementioned classes not to belong to the Hibernian Society. There are stock objections ; yt9, we all know them, and it in unnecessary to specify them. We all know that wherever half-a-dozen Irishmen get together, they will have a difference of opinion. Decidedly, it would be a very hum-drum affair of lit; if we were all of ibe same opinion ou all matter*, but it must not ba forgotten that the average Irishman has a keen intelligence and aptitude for conducing meetings, which none can excel, and the presence of those men who refuse or neglect joining is the one thing necessary lor the success both of the meetings and of the Society. Auckland Is the only one of the chief towns of the Colony where the Bociety has a deceut mus er roll. Yet, no sound reasou exist* why Dunedin, Christ^hurch and Wellington should not bave quite aa strong a membership. The responsibility for this rests somewnere. Doubtless there are reasoas, which it would be tbe duty of a properly represented annual district meeting to inquire into. The conference held in Wellington ia 1885 was a practical illustration of the beneficial remits arising from a meeting of representatives from the branches. Tbe Society was than brought directly under the notice of th» Plenary Council of Sydney, and through His Eminence Cardinal Moran obtained the approval of his Holiness Pope Leo XIII. There is yet much work of this nature to be accompishei by the Society. It has a strong claim on, and ought to receive the consistent and active support of theiclergy in every diocese, and indeed in every parish, for there is scarcely any parish so small that it could not lurnish forty or fifty members. Young men ought to beinlucedto join, bat especially men with families will find it to their interests to join. If this were generally adopted, how infinitely few there would be having recourse to the Charitable Aid Board in times of illness. These and various other questions of importance can only ba adequately discussed at a fuliy represents meeting of tbe branches at the annual meeting. The matter of expense, however, is a banier which ought to be grappltd with, and by some system a f i nd should be provided for the purpose ; and to have the annual meetiug movable — one year in tach place :— Wellington, Cbristchurch, Duoedin, Napier, and so on the circuit. It ib not tasy to realise the impetus one of such meetings gives a local branch. For this purpose and for sending a delegate to Melbourne annually a special lund ought to be established. Mr. White, who made a Bpeci il visit to Melbourne on behalf of the N.Z. District was successful in his mission, buc it is an opeu secret that the E. D. still bold a considerable part of the N.Z. funds, which it worth spending a delegate's expenses on. Hibkbnian.