BISHOP MORAN ON THE ATTITUDE OF CATHOLICS DURING THE COMING ELECTION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 24, 13 October 1893, Page 16

BISHOP MORAN ON THE ATTITUDE OF CATHOLICS DURING THE COMING ELECTION.

f^ T eeems that plain as were the words of the Bishop of Dunedin contained in the leading article % j üblished in the N.Z. Tablet a few weeks ago, >. an attempt has been invidiously mad*, in certain O quarters, to make use of some general statements ' to lead, if possible, unwaiy Catholics to break fJ^ away from their lellows, and at the general < lection vote for those who, if they could, would empty their churches as well as close their schools. We have been requested by esteemed correspondents from different

parts of the country- to respectfully request Dr Moran to supplement what he has recently said, and to give his views on several points more fully and explicitly. His Lordship wfo every dfty becomes stronger, very gracefully consented to Tfr/ aneßa neßt ' oosn s on which information has been asked N.Z. Tablet : All through the colony from Auckland to your own diocese the Catholics of New Zealand are taking steps to secure full registration, and are actively preparing for the coming election. This united spirit of bishops priests, and people has no doubt given your Lordship much pleasure 7 r

Bishop M«ran : « Yes, it has given me much pleasure— the greatest pleasure. Unity is strength. A bundle of twigs cannot be broken, but a single twig can, ani if Catholics really desire to obtain justice for their schools they must move m one man on this question. The Catholic body cannot tolerate the east disunion or dissension, and hope to obtain jastice. All Catholics loyal to their faith and principles most unite or they can never hope to defeat their watchful and vigilant enemies. All questions except the education question— that is, justice to their own schools— must be thrown behind their backs and out of sight by Catholics, and all their energies must be concentrated in securing a block vote m favour of their schools and against their enemies. For them this is the paramount question. Every other question is of comparatively no importance at present I rejoice, therefore, to learn that there are such strong grounds for believing that not a single Catholic worthy of the name will be found to vote for any candidate, no matter who he may Vv ?r I S * pledge himself t0 vote for a^ from the public funds to our schools."

m.X ; Your Lordship from lon S residence as Biahop in Booth Africa and New Zealand, and your previous career in Ireland has necessarily had much experience as to the manner m which Catholics should act in view of approaching elections. What in general should be the policy of Catholic electors ? J

m Bishop Moran :«In my opinion Catholics should act as intelligent and determined men, who, having a cruel grievance know how wisely to utilise the means within their reach towards the redressing of this grievance. They should quietly confer together, try to understand one another, keep in mind the obligations of justice and loyalty which are the paramount obligations of this moment, carefully keep away from the meetings-<»mmittee or others-of their enemies, be guided by their natural leaders, who are both wise and wary and move as one man from the North Cape to Stewart's Island, and thus strike a blow for justice which must be N.Z. Tablet: For what candidate should Catholic electors cast their vote ?

Bishop Mohan : « Catholic electors should vote for those candidates exclus.vely who pledge themselves, if returned, to vote for equitable aid for Catholic schools. 1 would further JhnTniJfJ ♦? "y? 1 ?* 0 "* th <^ be any candidate not thus pledged, the Catholic voters of such electorate should ?n?JS * v t&in from votiD S for "yone, except, indeed there should be a candidate specially odious to them against whom, of course, they witl vote." N.Z. Tablet : It is found that Catholics are strongly urged in certain districts to work for determined secularists because these are personally kind to Catholic people, or' entertain strong views on the Home Rule question. Wb.it do you think of these artifices to catch stray votes ? Bishop Moran : « I think these artifices are paltry, and should not be regarded for a moment. For us the Education question is the question of questions— the paramount consideration at present. We should not be justified in failing in our duty to the faith and morals of our own children even for the promotion of so desirable a measure as Home Rule Our faith and our children's interest must be our first care and every other consideration must come a long way after." ' n »w Z ',, TaBLKT : Jt is Baid b y astute journalists that Catholics do not vote together-that the block vote is a myth that the labour question and other questions divide them ? In replying kindly say what your Lordship thinks we are to expect from the labour party as far as the general good of the colony and justice to our schools is concerned h * h ?K MM ° RAN :," What * stute Journalists state may have been the case to a limited extent in the past—not to any appreciable extent. I feel quite certain it will be so to even a less extent in the future. There may perhaps be half a dozen unworthy Catholics in New Zealand prepared to

abandon their principles for foolish ambition and fancied interests, but no more. What are these ? They can neither make nor mar us. As to the labour party in New Zealand 1 am convinced that the labour party in this colony is its own greatest enemy, and I am certain it is our greatest enemy The labour party in this colony has not been led by its best and wisest members. Its policy has killed enterprise here, and is mainly responsible for the present dearth of employment. Money is abundant in New Zealand —so abundant that it is constantly be ; .ngsent to Australia, and even to America, instead of being employed here in the development of the country. And this is to be attributed mainly to the labour party. Therefore, I say, it is its own worst enemy. There is another point of view in which it is its own worst enemy also. It advocates free, godless education from bottom to top— from the primary school to the University— not having brains and intelligence enough to see that by this advocacy tt is injuring itself, and providing rich endowments for the well-to-do class. In the second place it is our greatest enemy. Whilst loudly demanding even more than justice for itself, it pledges itself to continue to plunder Catholics, and to trample on their consciences and their principles. My advice, therefore, to all Catholics is to have nothing whatever to do with the labour party in New Zealand. It is the uncompromising advocate of the plundering godless system of education in this country which inflicts upon us such terrible injustice. I advise such Catholics as may be found in its ranks to come forth from them at once and to be no longer responsible for the mischief it is doing' the colony, and the wrong it is doing themselves." N.Z. Tablet : What is the greatest difficulty with which Catholics have to contend in their efforts to obtain justice ? Who are really, in your opinion, our most determined and dangerous opponents ? Bishop Moran : " Our most determined and dangerous opponents are the faddists, and, of course, the king of faddists holds the first place. These coin phrases and epithets, in which there is really no meaning, and send them abroad amongst the workingmen, who repeat them parrot-like and think thereby they are showing themselves wise politicians and even great statesmen. Such are the phrases ' Aid to Catholic schools means the destruction of our national system of education ' ; * Free and secular education from the primary school to the university ' ; and many other equally absurd shibboleths which remind one forcibly of the senseless cry amongst the French revolutionists of 'liberty, equality, fraternity,' which mean, in reality, the tyranny of one class exercised over all others—the most grinding inequality, and the bitterest hatred between man and man and class and class. So our faddists and their dupes think that to be an excellent and almost god-sent system of education which plunders oneseventh of the community and practically condemns their children, so far as it can, to perpetual ignorance, and proposes, in a most amazing stupidity, to better the condition of labour, In an educational point of view, by establishing a system of education which, from top to bottom, places all the advantages and all the prizes almost exclusively in the hands of well-to-do people, who alone would have sufficient means to enable their children to take full advantage of such a system of education. These faddists are the pest of the community, and all who wish well to the country should discountenance them at once and for ever. It is not necessary to nu ntion namea. Everyone will understand whom we mean. "

We once more commend to our Catholic readers the thoughtful and fearless words of the Bishop of Dunedin. There can be little doubt that if the Catholic body follow the advice of their devoted Bishops, they will present to the enemy a powerful and invincible phalanx. United effort is surely, though slowly, telling. The persistence of Catholics in clinging to their religious schools is daily winning over numbers of admirers to their side. The increasing unbelief of colonial youth is causing universal alarm, and disposing those who have a glimmer of Christian faith to wish for some system of religious education which will serve to stem the prevailing torrent of " god less ness," "paganism," and real " heathenism " wh eh they witness and deplore. We have only to keep up the fight like brave men, and victory will soon be ours. Catholic Emancipation was not won in a day. The remnant of old world tyranny which has taken root on these shores will not readily y:eld, but yield eventually it must, to the necessity of giving justice to determined Catholic colonists.

Ih reply to the numerous kind inquiries thit continue to be made as to the heallh of the Most Rev Dr Moran, we rejiic* to cay that his Lordship's progress towards recovery goes on more rapidly than anyone could have expected. The Bishop is v.ry grateful for tbe great kindness that has been shown rowaHs htm.

The programme for the concert to be given on Wednesday evening next, the 18 h inst, in the Garrison Hall, DunediD, in aid of the building fund of the Dominican Convent schools, is of very exceptional attractions, as may be B(cn by reference to our advertising columns. The children of all the Catholic schools of the ci'y are to take part in it, and the aid of some of our principal amateurs and professionals will also be given. Particular care has been taken to provide for popular tastes, while lovers of the higher class of music wi.l also find something to please them. The musical performances will be varied by choice recitatioos and the interest of the audience will be well maintained throughout. We need say nothing as to the object for which the entertainment is given ; that is generally recognised as most deserving. The full bouse, therefore, which is needed to make the undertaking successful and to reward the pains that have b"en taken in preparation may ba coofidently predicted.

The ceremonies of the month's mind of the late Sister Mary Columba will take place at Gore on Tuesday next, the 17ih ins f .

At the meeting in St Joteph's Cathedral, DuneiliD, on Wednesday, the 4th inst., of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, the Uev Father Hunt delivered a most interesting address on 8t Francis of Aesisi.

The Sydney Freeman's Journal says our Timaru correspondent has made a mistake :— " It is tbe old organ of St Patrick's (not of 8t Mary's Cathedral), Sydney, that has been told. The instrument was recently enlarged and improved under the direction of M. Wiegaod, and is now one of the best of its s<ze in the colonies."

SUNDAY last (says the Auckland Herald of October 3) was truly a red-letter day at Howick, being the recurring anniversary of the renewal of the baptiimal vows by the Catholic children of tbe district. Those who took part in the ceremony looked the very picture of neatness, robed as they were in pretty white dresses. Miss Madge Kearoey read the form of retewal in a distinct and very pleasing manner, being supported by two little girls holding lighted tapers. Miss Kilfoyle had charge of the little ones, and it mußt be said that the order which prevailed during the ceremony was creditable to her. Moosignor McDonald celebrated Mats at eleven o'clock, whici concluded with Benediction of the Blesaed Sacrament and procession, when he addressed the little ones, and an unusually large congregation, in terms suitable to the interesting occasion. The choir mustered in full force, and executed borne very pretty and familiar hymns during the act of renewa', notably that cherished oce "Jesus, Gentlest Saviour,'

The special commissioner of the Daily Chronicle, who is at present investigating the condition of the Ulster farmers (says tbe Dublin Freeman of August 26) gives a vivid account of a day spent in the country districts of Antrim. His experiences throw a lurid light on the boasted prosperity of Ulster. Not a single farm which he visited was abe to support its tenant and pay the reot. This latter commodity was got from roal contracting, from harvest work in England, and from America. One farmer went to Glasgow every winter aDd worked in the gas-works to make hiß rent. His case is typical. Here are the facts :— " The holding was one of twenty-one acres, rented at £17, and of this only six or eight acres were tolerable land. Tbe tenant's father had had tbe land befjre him, and, as a matter of course, whatever value was in it had been put in it by these men. Yet on tbe death of the father £5 were added to the rent and ten acres knocked off tbe holding. Before going into the Land Court the rent had beei £25. The man wag, therefore, worse off than his father, in spite of tbe Court.

"Mercutio." of tbe Auckland Herald is accountab'e for the following :— "At a concert the other evening, io the City Hall, a rather graceful incident took place. An elderly lady was painfully making her way upstairs to the dress circle, when up came a gentleman, in tbe full vigour of manhood, two steps at a time, and lo ! the moment be saw the distressed lady, he instantly offered her his arm, saying to her kindly, ' Take my arm, please, and allow me to help you up the s'airs.' The lady glanced at tbe gentleman, and took tbe preffered arm. ' Now, lean on me,' said he. With carefully measured steps, to suit tbe lady, the gentleman got her to the t p She thanked him, wr ich he acknowif dgeJ. He bent gracefully to her, and waited for Ler to go in first, and was heard to murmur to himself, ' I have a dear old mother at home, and someone will perhaps help her up tbe staira wten she needs it.' Tbe act was witnessed by many

spec ators, and when Miss Butler sang tbe piece, ' There is no one like mother to me,' no doubt it found an echo in the breast of that man. The incident was a genuine touch of the milk of human kindness " — Bu\ of coursr, it was the " Somebody's Mother " boy, growth op ani emigrated. Glad to fi n d him a real entity and a living apology for the poet.

Again ('ays the Brisbane Australian) has tbe Christian Brothers' College atsirted its right to a premier place amongst the scholastic institutions of tbe colony. At the last preliminary examinations for solicitors, Thomaß Davies (of May town), a student at the Nudgee College secured tha pride of first place. He has been four years with tbe Christian Brothers and is now only seventeen years of age. His success in tbe Junior University Examinations last year prompted him to contest the examination for which he has oow secured tbo enviable position of honour.

It ia announced by cable that the Most Bey Dr Higgins, Bishop* auxiliary in Sydney, has been appointed Archbishop of Adelaide. Although tbe cable is not infallible, the announcement may be taken as most probably true. Rumour in the Old Country had already spoken of Dr Higgins as the future Archbishop.

The cbapel attached to tbe Monastery of tbe Redemptorist Fathers at Wendouree, Ballarat, waß consecrated by the Most Rev Dr Moore, Bißbop of the diocese, on Sunday September 17. The ceremonies were earned out with great solemnity, and there was a very large attendance both of the clergy and laity, The preacher was the Very Re? Prior Butler, 0.C.C., D.O. The Bishop, in the course of an address made by him, spoke very highly of tha services rendered by the Fatkers :— " I may say," said his Lordship, " that ever since the first mission the Fathers held in Ballarat it has been my anxious desire that a branch of the admirable Order founded by 8t Alphonßus should be established in this diocese Thanks be to God, my wishes have been realised. The Fathers have now, after five years' residence among us, erected this monastery and chapel to the honour and glory of God— a building which will stand as a monument of Catholicity to future generations. Five years ago no one would have thought, who had seen the lite, that in so short a time such a noble structure would have been erected, and the place transformed into the beautiful grounds which we now behold. Tbe monastery will be another addition to the architectural beauties of our city, and a landmark all round Ballarat, Bnt it is not alone the material edifice which the fiedemptorists have erected that c'aims our regard. Tbe spiritual edifice claims it still more. The various missions which the Fathers have held in every part of the diocese have b*en tbe means oi conferring inestimable spiritual blessings upon our people. These missions have brought the consolations of religion into many a home, and restored peace and comfort to many a troubled family." The Wryißev Faher O'Farrell, C.SS.R., Father Superior, stated that the total cost of ibe monastery and grounds had been £13,000. of which only £6000 remained as a debt. Tbe donations of the Bishop had anuuoted to £1400.

The fourth session of the eleventh Parliament of New Zsaland terminated on Fuday. The fuss of the impending elections has already begun. Sir Robert Stout stands for Wellington city, Mr Seddon for Westl md, and Mr Scobie Mackenzie opposes the Hon John McKe> zie fjr Waihemo. In some instances the number of candidates announced is overwhelming. On more than one account tbe various contests should be of exceptional interest.

The Dunedin Irish Riflis wi 1 give their annual ball to-night (Friday the 13th inst). We understand that present appearances bespeak a very successful event.

Yodnu South Africa, we trust, can knock spots out of Young New Z -aland. Onr aspiration is based, not unreasonably, as we believe will be admitted, oa the following report given by the Cape Times of a coDvereat ; on among school boys on their way to school. The age of the chief slingar of slang was estima'ed at 10 :—: — " Man, I say, but you ought to have seen that horse run — old wbat-yon-cal!-im fellow stop him, man— etop him. Yep, just so, but man — do you tbi *k I was such a gummy ? Old wbat-you-call-im was in an awful fuuk— you— bet— as his horee scooted past— but— man— I jnst gave a yell— so— (illustrating it with a blood-curdling shriek) and cleared aft^r him like mad — mm — tbe dust just stood." (Go 'long find eat pork— interrupted one of the boys— jedous of the speaker's prowess.) " Man, when the old moke stopped old what-you-ca!l-im cawed down an i would have me inside — man— l just swilled tickey beer aod scoffed cake till I was chock full— couldn't hold another crumb— man. Tbe old stick- : n. 'he-mud has a prime Al daughter— man— ain't she a scorcher. I kissed her behind the old 1 * joker's back— you bet gum !"