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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 13, 26 December 1890, Page 18

A passage from the encyclical recently addressed by the Holy Father to the Catholics of Italy which deserves particular attention from the Catholic world generally is the following : « The chief instrument employed by our enemies is the Press, which in great part receives from them its inspiration and Bupport. It is important that Catholics should oppose the evil Press by a Press that is good for the defence of truth, out of love for religion, and to uphold the tight of the Church. While the Catholic Press is occupied in laying bare the perfidious designs of the sees in helping and seconding the action of the sacred pastors, and in defending and promoting Catholic works, it is the duty of the faithful efficaaiously to support this Press— both by refusing or ceasing to favour in any way the evil Press ; and also directly, by concurring, as far as each one can, in helping it to live and thrive."

The all important subject of the Catholic Press was brought under consideration at the Catholic congress recently held at Coblentz. " Among the many remarkable speeches," says a contemporary, " that of Dr. Schadler is worthy of special notice. He spoke on the work of the Catholic press in Germany, and gave a most encouraging account of its progress in recent years, attributing in great part to the Catholic journalists the victory won over Bismarckism and the Kulturkampf. 'The press,' he said, ' strengthens the hands of oar clergy. They preach to hundreds, the press preaches to thousands. Every parish priest ought to look on himself as the local correspondent of the Catholic papers and help them to bis utmost. In our battle the press supplies us with music ; we march after it and press and people must move together for truth, freedom and right.'"

The London Tablet has not only got hold of the keys of the Vatican but has even obtained command of the Holy Father's thoughts. The chance for poor Ireland, then, in Papal quarters may be easily guessed. Here ia what our "cheeky" contemporary's Bcme correspondent has to say, under date October 19 . "It has got about that Mr. O'Brien and Mr, Dillon had intended or bad

expressed the wish to come to Rome with the endeavour to obtain an interview with the Pope. However, lam authorised particularly to state that should they have come, the Holy Father would not h»va received them. H.s Holiness has been too much dUtresied Utterly with the almost open defiance to his authority by some perrons In Ireland even to think of admitting the two gentlemen in question." Bee that, now. Well, we once knew an old gentleman, who used to tell old stories, and be had ao old wife who sat by, invariably repeatmg sotto voce, while tha narrative wenc on, " Lies, lies lies "

We see that a proposal has been mooted to present Mr A H Rots late Member for Boslyn, with a testimonial, prior to bit removal'from Dunedin, to take up his resideace in the North Island. Mr Boas has politically been an enemy of ours. Ha baa opposed our 'claims to justice and therefore we have opposed his return to Parliament Nevertheless, we recognise his merits as an old and respectable citizen of Danedin, and one who has done much to promote the interests of the community. In the various local matters in which be has taken a prominent part, he has done good service. The proposal alluded to therefore, seems to us only right and proper. The people of Donedin, id fact, would be guilty of ingratitude in refusing to act on it

Who is " Russell Ready," who figures as a virago and administers a longue-thraahing "to Bishop Moran in the Otago Daily Times 1 Echo answers, » Nobody." « Stone's Directory " doea not record the name of a Russell Ready as residing at Palmeraton, whence this nonenity dates its letter, or anywhere else ir Otago. Lee us, however, give the coward, throwing its mad ani running away under the tignature of " Russell Beady," credit Ut all the writer des.-rve*. It is after all, something to be ashamed of a lot of rile vituperation acid screaming without sense or meaning-thougb why under the circumstances it should be published seems rather enigmatical. The scold however, cannot help himself. He must have his say even although he is ashamed of it. Echo rightly describes such a character as " Nobody."

Fob goodness' sake are there not any thistles about 1 Is there no succulent morsel to stop a mouth and keep the bray from coming out ? Why, there is another man worse than " Nobody," who does not live m Palmerstoo. " Secular Educationist" this oae signs himself. Well, hasn't the Bishop told us the truth ? His Lordship lays the blame of the whole affair to want of brains, and the people he angers bear out his argument, Again, we ask, are there no thistles to kf ep these creatures suitably and harmlessly employed 1

Recent Home papers make it evident that Mr. Balfour't tour in Ireland was no voluntary undertaking. It was forced upon him by public opinion. The following despatch to the American proas, under date, Lundon November 3, gives as the latest reliable particulars :— " Balfour finished his tour through the West of Ireland within a week, returniog to Dublin October 3J. He carefully steered clear of son, eof the most distressed districts. In the beginning of bis lightning-like progress, preposterous reports were put forth by the Toiy press that the people received him with demonstrations of delight ; that a priest at Newport, whose name, by the way, is not given, said that he was the greatest benefactor Ireland ever had, etc. All this was based simply on the forbeirance or the apathy of the people. Some of the peasants were putting in practice tbe lessons of self-control given them by their leaders. Othero as in Connemara, were too engrossed with their own sad prospects to show any interest in the visitors.

The drawing of tbe art-union undertaken for tbe establishment of the Sisters of Mercy at Gore, will come off without fail on April 23. We need not point out to our readers the importance or desirableness of the object referred to. The fame of the Sisters of Mercy requires no renewing at our hands. Every one will recognise the merit to be gained by aiding in so admirable a work, and one that harmonises so completely with the spirit of the Catholic Church. All, therefore, our readers require is to be reminded of tbe opportunity now offered them of partaking in so meritorious a task. Very effectual means of doing so are offered in the assistance demanded to make the art-union a success.

We have received, for transmission to Dr. Kenny, M.P., at Dublin the sumof £10 10s, contributed by tbe Dunganville branoh of the Irish National League, and forwarded to us by Mr. Bartholomew North.

" Kalamos " means pen, does it not 7— that is, of course, goosequill. We may, therefore congratulate that pundit of the Dunedin Star on having had scholarship enough to choose an appropriate name. Verily, the anxiety ehrwn to corroborate Bishop Moran'« statement as to the contents of the secularist brain-box ia extraordinary—and we must admit, besides, that it is extremely euccflMful.

Stonb a testimony as to the non existence of <• Russell Ready " lL ? H°«n/ pf * tßlegram fr ° m **'***** OoDn ' the P oli <« officer mutant is Palmerston. Sergeant Conn, in answer to an inquiry, wires as follows:-" No person named Russell Ready living in Palmewtou dwtnet." The person signing himself « Russell Ready" rod Ota So Daily Ttmes, is, therefore, liar as we ll as