A COMICAL SITUATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 25, 20 October 1893, Page 17

A COMICAL SITUATION.

fISHOP MORAN, at the request of several Catholics, has made public his opinion as to the attitude which Catholics ought to assume at the coming general election. The immediate consequence is that one of our contemporaries has opened its columns to a flood of literature, anonymous, as usual, and, as usual also, vituperative of the Bishop because he has spoken true and brave words to his own people. The Bishop advises all Catholics to give a block vote for such candidates as pledge themselves to advocate and vote for aid to their schools from the public funds, and to vote for these and these alone. This gives the anonymous cowards great offence. These cowards and some newspapers advocate a block vote against Catholic claims and no writer in these newspapers, whether an anonymous coward or not, finds fault with this advice. This is comical It is a crime, it appears, for a Catholic Bishop, at the request of his people, to give his advice and opinions ; but it is quite the thing for nameless cowards to give advice to Catholics to disregard the words of their Bishop, and to call upon all to block against them, though, so far as can be known they have no recognised position, and have not been asked by any one to intrude their opinion or advice on the public Their view of the situation is that every Turk, Jew and atheist are called upon to advise Catholics and all others to rivet intolerable chains on the necks of Catholics, and that it is a grievous offence for a Catholic Bishop to advise a block vote in aid of justice, fairplay, and the recognition of the existence of God, when asked by those deeply concerned for advice It is no wonder these anonymous writers carefully conceal 'their names. It is clear they entertain a suspicioa that they are l making donkeys of themselves. Bishop Moban advises thoie who seek advice from him, and this is a crime in the eyes of the mcD who volunteer bad advice to ' u hose who never asked for their interference, and resent it. This position is ludicrous in the extreme. They say, in effect : Don't take the Bishop's advice ; it may help you to obtain justice and equitable treatment ; but take our advice and vote against your best interests, and show yourselves to be men of independent minds ! To this end the proper thing for you to do is, to take the advice of your enemies who only seek to do you all the harm they can. We observe that one of these cowardly anonymous writers still dares to affirm that the public schools are not godless. Well, this is impudence run mad. .Not godless ! They are essentially godless, and godless by Act of Parliament and by the administration of the Government. The existence of a personal God is neither taught nor recognised in them ; the names of Christ or Christianity are ignored in them ; the lord's Prajer or the Ten Commandments are not taught or recited in them ; and an anonymous writer does not hesitate to say, they are not godless ! He does well to take care not to allow the public to know who he is. An anonymous wr iter thinks bishop Moran would have acted more courageously if he had mentioned the name of the king of faddists. This comes well, does it not, from a man who is afraid to put his name to his letter ? Bißhop Moran, as all k now, is no coward • he has never been afraid to let the public know his opinion or advice on any public question. But this anonymous writer, who thus twits him, stabs in the dark, and then like a moral assassin, as he is, runs away and hides himself

This, again, is comical. Catholics are told by this anonymous writer that they are coerced, and not allowed to think for themselves, because the Bishop, at their own request, has ventured to address them ; but if they followed the insinuated advice of this unknown writer, and resigned themselves and their schools to godlessness, ard helped, perhaps, this man, to grind his axe, they should be considered independent and free men. Does this nameless scribe think Catholics are fools and can be easily duped by designing fanatics who have little brains, though a good deal of cunning. This country contains no men more thoughtful and manly, or more determined to do their duty, than Catholics ; and this is the reason they ask the advice of their Bishops in a great crisis. Is not this the course sensible and well-intending men ought to pursue? The independence and steady determination of Catholics is proved by the support they give the Catholic schools, notwithstanding that they are compelled by law to pay for the free and godless education of the children of the cowardly, niggardly and worthless of the community, who grudge to pay for the cleaning of the schoolrooms occupied by the children. Catholic schools are steadily increasing in number, and Catholic | pupils attending these schools are steadily increasing in number year after year. In the year 1886 there were 83 Catholic schools in the Colony, having 7,991 pupils. In 1891, the last year concerning which we have been able to obtain reliable I statistics, there were 110 Catholic schools, having 10,144 pupils. And whilst Catholic schools have been steadily ! increasing, other denominational or private schools were 17 less in 1891 than in 1890. Who have built those schools and maintained them ? The Catholic laity of New Zealand, whilst helping, through compulsion, to give a free and godless education to the children of people who insult them anonymously and call them dupes and cowards. Bat Catholics know who are really the dupes, the cowards, the tyrants, and the utterly selfish ; and, whilst they cannot but be indignant at their injustice, they pity their ignorance, their fanaticism, and their blind bigotry, which are such as to make intelligent and well-informed men almost ashamed of their species.

Since writing the above we have read the leader of the Daily Times in its issue of Monday. In this leader the Times falls into several mistakes, which anyone can see who takes the trouble to read the report of Bishop's Mohan's interview, which is published In the same issue of the paper. Bishop Moran has given no command, as is untruly stated, to Catholic voters how they should vote, nor has he, as also untruly stated, threatened, any penalties for disobedience to his orders. Bishop Moran simply, in response to a request made to him, gave an advice, and in this only imitated the daily example of the Times itself. Ihe Times finds great fault with Bishop Moran for advising subordination of all political questions to the education question, and for recommending the block vote. In this also Bishop Moran has only followed the example of the Times, which has always subordinated all questions to the education question. In every contested election tbe Times has invariably called upon voters to vote against all candidates pledged to give aid to denominational schools, no matter what were the other principles of the candidates. The last Bruce election is the latest proof of this, and wh»t is more, even when Catholics were making no move whatever in the election contest, our contemporary the Otago Daily Times, and our other contemporary, the Evening Star, initiated the cry of denominational education in order to secure the return of their favourite candidate. In fact these papers and the secularists generally have always without compunction raised, and often wantonly raised, the denominational bogey for purely electioneering purposes. Again, on all occasions, these journals have never failed to advocate a block vote against aid to Catholic schools, and yet these are the hypocritical men who find fault with Bishop Moran for advising his people to iollow their example. But Bishop Moran has been justly accused of putting the education question above all others. This also our contemporaries have invariably done, and are even now doin^. Why, the very first man in this community, and the man whom most people would desire as representative of the city, has been refused support on the sole ground that he wishes to be just to Catholic schools. Bishop Moran glories in putting the education question in the forefront, because the religious and moral training of the children of the country is f«r and away the thing most necessary for the well-being of tbe country. In comparison with it every other question is of no importance.

On Sunday last the Most Bey Dr Moran was present in tbe sanctuary at tbe 11 a.m. Mass in St Joseph's Cathedral. The Bey Father Murpby acted as celebrant. Tbe Bey Father Lynch, who preached, prefaced bis sermon by a few words of reference to the presence of the Bishop. He expressed his pleasure at seeing him restored to his people. Tbe people of his diocese and of all New Zealand bad prayed, and the Almighty, in answer to their prayers* had evidently blessed in a wonderful manner the means of recovery mads use of. They would continue to pray that the recovery might be complete and lasting. Tbe rev speaker's fervent hope was that his Lordship would soon again be able to occupy his pulpit, and t) give foith words of wisdom, which would be listened to rs before. There were people who told them not to follow their Bishop. Who were they to follow ? One who was their friend and father, or those who, if they could, would empty their churches, as well as close their schools f — On the conclusion of the ceremonies the "Te Denm " was rang.

Thb month's mind of the late Sister Mary Oolumb a was celebrated at Gore on Tuesday. It waa strange and touchi ng that tbe day was tbe anniversary of the deceased nun's profession, as well as of that of a surviving member of the community, the Sister Mary Patricia, who had come out in company with her from Ireland. Tbe Bishop, who was unable to be present, desiriog to express his sympathy and his sense of the good work that tb« Sisters of Mercy have done since their arrival in Gjre, tent from Dunedin as his representative tbe Bey Father Lynch, rector of St Joseph* Cathedral. Solema office for the dead and a High Mass of ReguUm were celebrated at 11 a.m. Tbe Bey Father Newport, pastor of the district acted as oelebraot, the Rev Father Vereker as deacon, the Bey Father ODea as sub-deacon, and the Bey Father P, O'Neill as Master of the Ceremonies, The Gregorian Mass for the dead, as edited by Archbishop Walsh, was sung by the choir. There wis a large congregation present to testify their sympathy with the nans in the loss they had sustained, their regret for tbe departed Sister, aai their respect and gratitude for the services so lovingly bestowed on them and their children. For our own part also, we beg to effer the community our respectful condolences for the loss of so devoted • nun, so excellent a teacher, and so valuable a member in every regard. —R.l.P,

The Daily News of September 6, alluding to the speech in which Karl Specer in tbe House of Lords moved tbe second reading of the Home Bnle Bill, speaks as follows :—": — " None can read Lord Spencer's speech without perceiving tbe strength and nature of tbe bias against which his growing conviction that Ireland could only be saved by Home Bule must have contended. An hereditary Whig, trained in official life almost from bis boyhood, English and aristocratic in all his tastes and sympathies, as free from sentiment as a human being well can be, be yielded slowly but surely to the logic of circumstances, and to the evidence of facts. Among them, as he said last night, was the alliance of tbe Conservatives with tbe Nationalists in 1885. When we are told that this or that statesman who opposed manfully in his lifetime, not Home Bnle, but tbe Bepeal of the UoioD, would be horrified at the Irish policy of Mr Gladstone, we should do well to remember that if they had changed their minds the change would have been far less startling than tbe conversion of Lord Spencer."

Thb Pilot of September 16 refers as follows to the presence of the Archbishop of Wellington at the Cod gr ess of Chicago :— •' Archbishop Redwood, of Wellington. New Zealand, a stalwar', middleaged man, full-beaided, like the Benedictine abbotr, said that he had come 9,000 miles to see tbe World's Fair and participate in tbe Colombian Catholic Oongresj, and bring back to his people the lessons of both. He roused bis andience to a high pitch of enthusiasm."

His Eminence Cardinal Moran, who has bent ti ted very much by bis sojourn at Galway with the Most Rev Dr MacCurmack (says tbe Dublin Freeman of September 9), is at present on a visit with tbe Most Bey Dr Comerford at Oarlow. His eminence, our readers will be glad to learn, baa almost completely recovered from his recent ill new.

The great Catholic CoDgresa of ihe World's F<tir at Chicago was formally opened on Monday, September 4. Solemn High Mass was celebrated at St Mary's Church, after which delegates, representing every diocese and vicariate in the United State?, assembled in the Art Institute. Hon William J. Onahac, secretary of tbe Congiess, called the meeting to order, after which Archbishop Feeban of Chicago welcomed the delegates to the World's Fair and the Catholic Congress. Fully 5,000 peopte were present when Cardinal Gibbons tote to make the opening address.

A LA.BOB number of childreß, with their parents and friends (says the Auckland Herald of October 5), assembled in St Patrick's Hal), Panmure, on Monday last, when an address was presented by

tbe scholars to Monsignor McDonald, who replied in very feeling sentiments. At tbe oonclniion of the afternoon's programme the little onei were, of course, treated to an abundant supply of oaktf,' sweet*, etc, which, it is needless to say, were thoroughly enjoyed. In the evening a " surprise party " waa given in the hall, and about 150 of the youth and beauty of Panmure attended, and enjoyed themselves to their heart's content. Mr G. Smith supplied the music to the entire satisfaction of all, while Mr P. Mclnnerney discharged the onerous duties of M.O. The catering for the evening was everything that con Id be desired. The following is the address that was read :— " To Monsignor McDonald. Dear Father Walter,— We, your little children of St Patrick's school, are very happy to-day to greet you, after the trial of sickness it has pleased God to send vi, as well as the children of other districts. Although our annual festive gathering had, from the same cause, to be postponed, yet we are not the less fervent in our sentiments of respect and affection to our dear, devoted pastor, who was such a constant visitor at onr sick beds ; but, it is well-known that the little ones were always favourites with Father Walter. We beg you to accept our heartfelt wishes for many returns of this day, and health and strength to perform your duties, and do good not only to your own little children at Panmure, but also to all those who claim you in Auckland as their own priest. We ask you to accept this little soavenir of our devotion. It is not what we would wish to give, but we know you will accept it as the offering of your loving children of St Patrick's school, Panmure.

Oub contemporary the Triad for the current month is to hand: Tbe " Editor's Note Book " takes a somewhat sentimental tone. A discuEsion as to the value of a kiss, for example, almost savours of the medieval courts of love. Sensitive, indeed, must be, moreover, the lyre whose strains are awakened by the temperance of legislators in Melbourne. A note on the colour of voices is out of oar reach, though voices we have undoubtedly heard that could make an audience look blue, The editor pities certain tribes of bUcks in North Australia because their language has four genders. He should, therefore, rejoice in his presence among surroHndings whose tendency is to reduce tbe genders to one. Finally, we do not know that oar contemporary need plunge into the depths of tbe classics to find an instrument by means of which a woman can cause him, or any other man, any degree of exquisite pain. But as, for our own part, all that we at this moment can recall from Henry's First Latin Book is the sublime phri&e—Balbus cedificat murum, we have not tbe least idea of what tbe instrument may be to which our contemporary alludes. Thu sketch on page 7 entitled " Reminiscences of a Vagabond M instrel " looks inviting. We set it aside, therefore, for future pernsal. But who, without some slight preparatory discipline could undertake to read anything signed with the norn de plume, " Hooligans " 1 Our contemporary baa leaped quite a harvest of precocity, and tbe fiißt fruits with which be presents us »re, to sty the least of ir, astoundiog. The young lady who is anxious for the improvement of her parents and professois, and the other young lady who now feels herself in a position to patronise all the musical circles in thecolony, have our deepest eympa'hy. Our contemporary, nevertheless, is, as usual, cleverly writ' en and edited, and is well worth reading tbrooghout, giving also a large amount of nseful instruction and information. The musical supplement contains three admirably selected German songs with English words.

A DBA.WINQ in connection with tbe Dominican Convent postal bazair, of which we recently gave particulars, took place last week at Mosgiel. The prize was a handsome cushion, which was won by Mrs L'EstraDge. The lady generously presented her prize to the Bey Father O'Neill, pastor of the district, as a gift to a future bazaar.

ON Friday evening an illuminated address was presented in the Choral Hall, Dunedin, to Mr J. W. Jago on the occasion of his completing the twenty -first year) of his management of the Evening Star. The address spoke highly of the relations which had existed witbont interruption between Mr Jago and the employees of tho office, and of the manner generally in which he had discharged his duties. In tbe course of a suitable reply Mr Jago dwelt on tho good effects to be expected from a mutual confidence between the employer and the employee.

Last month (writes Mr Baeyertz in the Triad) we bad the pleasure of examining the Dunedin St. Cecilia Society in sight singing and musical knowledge. The sight singing of Mr Feil and Mr Carolin was extremely correc', and the papers of Miss McLacblin, Mr Columb, Mr Feil, and others gained 75 per cent, of the maximum.

The eighth annual ball of the Dunedin Irish Rifles came off with eclat in the Garrison Hall on Friday night. The hall had been very tastefully decorated for the occasion, and was gay with banners, hangings', Chinese lantern?, pictures, and various other adornments, which Mr Button, the janitor, bad arranged with admirable skill. The flag of Krin occupied a place of honour in front of the platform

whire it was very notably displayed. The attendance was large and the brilliant toilettes of the ladiee, set off as they were by the various uniforms of the volunteers present, produced a very striking effect. The festivities of the occasion were maintained with spirit until a l»te bonr. The misters of ceremonies, Sergeants Harris and Power and Volunteers Dunne and Barke are to be congratulated on the success of their efforts to promote the enjoyment of the guests.

We publish in oar present issue «he views of two of those victims of priestcraft whom the Catholic hierarchy lead by their noses. That is Messrs. Henry McCormick. of Dunedin, and M, Nolan, of Chris church. We fancy that the folly of these gentlemen will be found at least on a level with the very best wisdom of those who would, peihap*. constitate themselves their critics.

The prize numbers of the Riverton art-unioo will ba found in another place. The Western Star alludes as follows to the drawing which came off on Wednesday, the 11th inst. " The buggy goes to Wintoo, the piano to lavercargill, the organ remains in Biverton, the cream separator to Limes' one Plains, and the mirror to Wrey's Bush It is highly gratifying to see the prizes go to diff vent centres, and this mast be accounted for by the fair and systematic mode of drawing. The largest number of books was sold by Mr I. Woolf, of Biverton, his total being 20. For this he obtained a handsome gold watch which was offered at a prize to encourage the sale of tickets, and no one will grudge him the reward of his energy. The watch was presented to him by the Mayor during an iuterval in the concert. Altogether about 6000 tickets were sold, the gross returns being £500. After all expenses are paid the net result will be something like £200, which is to be devoted tc the laudable object of repairing the Roman Catholic Church and Presbytery. When we recollect that the money is to be spent locally, and tnat nearly all the prizes were purchased here, the art-union will benefit more than those for whom it was got up. We have to compliment Mr J. Geary, the secretary, on the indefatigable energy he displayed in the secretarial work."

Ova contemporary the Temuka Leader makes a somewhat nervous attempt at ridiculing the 'ft mar u Herald for attaining to just views as to the claims of Catholics. Catholics, nevertheless, we fancy, will congratulate the Herald oa any change for the better he may have made, and on having the courage of the opinions at whi3h Le has arrived. We take the following passages from the article to which our Temuka contemporary refers. The Herald dismisses the proposal lately made at Christcbarch for a Scripture text book in the schools. 1 In short," he Bays, '• the Catholic claims are not to be got rid of bj any book tbat the association mty find and introduce into the State schools." The question, says our contemporary, is to find a way oat of a serious difficulty. " The first way would be to make an exception in favour of the Catholics — to give annual grants to them and to thtm alone ; the second would be to give annual grants to every school haviog a certain number of scholars, and maintained at a certain standard of efficiency, the Government inspectors to be the judges." The second way, our contemporary explains, was adopted ia Westland and Nelson. "Ne-tber in Nelson nor in Westland," he says, "did the Government schools suff±r, by the giving of grants to outside schools, and it is remarkable that as soon as Westland broke off from Canterbury, became a separate province, and passed an Education Ordinance similar to the Nelson Ordinance, all the denominational * schools, with the exception of those maintained by tna Catholics were closed for want of support, the parents at once sending their children to the Government schools." The Herald thinks it might not be safe to press the argument too far. " Yet we are not afraid," he adds, "to predict tbat if substantial assistance were given to outside primary schools at the present time, the extra burden imposed upon the State would not be very heavy. On the other hand an enormous advantage would have beea gaioed by the removal of tbat sense of injustice under which the Catholics at present labour." Many, says our contemporary, advocate the first plan, that of giving grants to Catholic schools only. He himself does not advocate for Catholic schools as large grants an those given to State schools, but merely that the assisance should be substantial. In any case, he says, these facts remain : "Firstly, that it is for conscience sake the Catholics maintain their own schools ; aud secondly, that if they were to renounce the straggle to-morrow, and send their children to the State schools, the country would be pnt to an enormous expense in providing accommodation which does not now exist." " Our firm belief," concludes the Herald, "is that whatever plan of settlement be adopted, the time is come when this important question must be f iced and honestly dealt with." The Temuka Leader makes very merry, with a slender wit, concerning the acrobatic qaalities of the Herald, bat it is a good old proverb that says — It is never too late to maud— aad Catholics will see nothing to astonish them in the fact that a newspaper, always noted for its ability, should have arrived, even after a long delay, at just conclusions with regard to their position.