OUR POLICY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 47, 20 March 1896, Page 17

OUR POLICY.

Active preparation is being made for the coming election battle The various political bodiea are busily engaged in the vn ork of registration and obtaining promises of support for their candidates. If ever there was a time when Catholics should be unitei and faithful to their old p>licy, it is the present. We have not obtained victory, but the manliness and consistency of the Catholic body in its demand for simple justice kas secured respect from opponents who must admire the self-sacrifice shown in the establishment and working of Catholic schools. We have been successful in this way that, had it not been for the agitation of past years, so many Catholic schools, we believe, would not now exist and flourish in New Zealand. The policy of inactivity is unwise. If adopted and persevered in for a few years disastrous consequences to the cause we cherish would be witnessed in this Colony. A united front, with the old determination to admit no compromise, is the only sound po'icy — a policy constantly insisted upon by our natural leaders. We may not be always able to return a friend. Well, we have very often a determining vote in a district, and, as a body, can punish the last offender against justice to our children. In view of the coming struggle the Catholic who is true on this great question will quietly watch the rival combatants in the ehction arena, keep silence, steadily refase to pledge himself to any candidate and deal a blow for right when the moment arrives. The conduct of members next session in regard to matters affecting Catholic schools should be closely watched. The question of school inspection by board inspectors is by no m^ans dead. We have a stiff fight before us. " UoLquer we shall, but we must firrt contend, 'Tia not the fight that crowns ns bat the end."