THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1901. THE H. A. C. B. S.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 9, 28 February 1901, Page 17

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1901. THE H. A. C. B. S.

W\ \\il "^ Wi*u man wrote : " A brother that is helped ii_*"|A *''' H brother is like a strong city'; and js^ !! I &» again :'lt is better that two should bo toother M\^^} than one ; for they have the advantage of their "C\^f|sf society, if the one fall lie shall be supported £X J^J^ by the other. Woe to him that is alone, for X 4s&' when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.' » We are reminded of these words by the annual movable meeting of the Hibernian-Australasian Catholic Benefit Society of the New Zealand District, which was held in Dunedin at the close of last "week. This excellent organisation presents in concrete form the idea of the in^pin d royal writer. It \a an association of brothers to stand by one another and to lift up one another in the day of need and suffering and sorrow. It offers at least as hiirh monetary benefits as the least objectionable non-Catholic associations of a similar nature. It presents, moreover, the \ital advantage of social intercourse between Catholics and Catholics in a Catholic atmosphere. It pro\ides warm Catholic sympathy by the bedside of the sick and the open grave of the dead, and its sweet charity goes out, to the deceased brother or sister beyond the portals of deith. It is the only representative in our midst of thov ideal benefit and social organisations, the old Catholic guilds of the middle age, which did so nuich to emancipa'o and dignify honest toil, and to make the England ot piv-Kcfonnution days the paradise of the worker of every degree.

The Hibernian Society is emphatically the a-i ociation foi a pioneer land. There is in it a potential eneuy for good, the splendid possibilities of which, however, ha\e never y«J been fully evolved. In this Colony — for who^e needs it is so eminently suited — it is practically ever) where working at low pressure. The machine is right. What it wants is more steam — more motive energy in the .shape of active members. According to Mr. Co<:iiiAN'rt estimate, there were in New Zealand at the close of 18 ( .) ( .) lo5,l.">0 Catholics. And yet the numerical strength of the Hibernian Society is well under 2000 members. A few branches are suffering from

marasmus. In great tracts of heavily populated country in every province of New Zealand — dotted here and there with considerable towns — the emerald sash is seen almost as rarely as the Cross of the Legion of Ilenor. And over those wide areas our workers are in a manner forced into benefit organisations whose rules, rituals, and associations are unfavourable to the growth and cultivation of Catholic sentiment. In twenty centres there are altogether twenty-three branches of the H.A.C.B.S. — usually consisting of small biu-dcvuwii of e..rr"j°t non an/1 vom^n struggling on in comparative neglect and obscurity — frost-bitten, so to speak, by the icy apathy ot the very people for whose physical and moral benefit the Society was founded.

What is the cause of this lack of appreciation of a great and good work t 1 at is going on quietly and unostentatiously in our midst ? Tt seems to us that the lion's share of the blame must fall upon the apathy of that portion of the Catholic public to which the U.A.C.B.S. is entitled to look for its chief support. Some of our people live on in happy-go-lucky indifference towards the whole system of providing for a rainy day through the medium of any benefit society whatsoever. Others turn up the tips of their lordly noses, or nourish small-minded grudges, against this or that trifling and non-essential detail of the Society's w T orking — such as, for i. stance, the personnel of a particular Branch. Others are led, beguiled, or — in places where there is no Biauch of the 11.A.C.8 S. — to some extent compelled by the pleasure of circumstances into membership of non-Catholic benelit associations. Some of these societies are as baldly secular as the State-school system. Others — like the Rcchabites — are a sort of annex to some Protestant denomination. Some — like the Oddfellows — are semi-secret organisations, and make use of signs, grips, pass- words, and much of the puerile and ridiculous ' flummery ' of societies that are in very earnest secret and forbidden by the law of God. It requires no \iolent stretch of fancy to perceive how such associations might become, for individual Catholics here and there, vestibules to the Freemasons' lodge. Most of these non-Catholic benefit societies have rituals of introduction or for funeral use which are altogether out of harmony with Catholic usage and feeling. In the United States the Oddfellows arc, and have long been, under the ban of the Church. For Catholics in any country it is not lawful to be officials of societies having non-Catholic prayer rituals, or using secret signs, grips, pass-words, etc. Neither is it permissible to attend their meetings. Membership of the associations referred to.ewn when tolerated under certai* condition-!. i h contrary to the spirit of the Church's legislation in point. Such associations, moreover, serve only to enhance the dangers that are inseparable from a country in which the social atmosphere is decidedly non-Catholic, even when it, i- not anti-Catholic or non-religious or irreligious.

We s'.aiiil in enin^ need of two things : (1) the formation of ;i public conscience araoni; Catholics regarding this matter ol benefit, societies ; and (2) facilities and greater encouragement for Catholics to become members of that benefit organisation which has the iirst and most urgent claim upon their support. The formation of a Catholic conscience in point is a matter in which the hierarchy and the parochial clergy can gi\e the most direct and powerful help. In their joint Pastoral Letter — which was published ju*t two years a^o this week — the Archbishops and Bishops of New Zealand strongly urged the clergy and laity to make the young people under their care 'members of a good Catholic Bemiit Society or other approved and pious associations.' By this means (said they) ' you promote their temporal welfare while safeguarding and increasing their piety and religion.' And we ha\e no doubt that the clergy everywhere throughout the Colony are prepared to do what in them lies to foster the H.A.C.8.5., and to extend its good influence by e\ery leasonable means at their disposal. Jt will. ho.veuT. be of little avail to form a Catholic conscience in this matter of benelit societies unless the Catholic public are provided with reasonable facilities for giving in their adhesion to the 11.A.C.8 S. And this can he effected only when the clergy, parents, and members of the Society join in 'a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together ' in cordial co-operation throughout the length and breadth of the Colony.

But there still remain certain conditions previous to success. "Without them the best-meant efforts of cleric or layman would be tolerably sure, sooner or later, to 'gang- aglee.' These conditions chiefly regard the Society itself. We are deeply convinced that a strong, judicious, and well-sustained effort to still further and ever further popularise the H.A.C.B.S. would result in increasing its numerical strength and consequent usefulness. Practically what is needed is a keener consciousness on the part of the Executive of the increasing strain of competition to which the SofWy is being subjected. (1) Subject to correction we venture to suggest a greater flexibility in certain details of payment and benefits — with a watchful eye for new departures in other similar organisations. (2) We fear that sufficient attention has not been paid to the formation and spread of Juvenile Branches. These, if well managed, would form rich recruiting grounds for the Society. We have taken the liberty of suggesting, in connection with the juveniles, a scheme of reduced medical and funeral benefits, coupled with the payment of a sum of money on their twentyfirst birthday, to financial survivors as a means of supplying to youthful members the wherewithal for a modest start in life. (3) It seems to us that the future well-being of the Society depends in a considerable measure on its Branches becoming, as far as possible, centres or foci of Catholic social intercourse. Such a programme lies fairly within the scope of the H.A.C.B.S. It is, moreover, forced upon it by the fact that rival associations are already in the field in the same direction, and the friendly and pleasant social gatherings that, form the fixed item in their policy have had much to do with their success in attracting to their ranks Catholic young men whose proper place is within the safer portals of the H.A.C.B.S. This is no mere untried suggestion. It has beeu followed up with the happiest results elsewhere. We need only instance Bendigo (Victoria), where interesting reunions, lectures, socials, entertainments, etc., take place regularly at 8.30 p.m. at the close of the meetings of the local branch, form a pleasing feature in the Catholic social life of the Golden City, and have made the Hibernian Society the most popular, and, numerically, the strongest association in the place. This pleasant social intercourse, coupled with a bonus of 2s Gd for the introduction of each new member, has resulted in rapidly augmenting the ranks of the branch till its membership stands at over GOO. It is, in fact, one of the most nourishing Branches — perhaps the most flourishing — of the Society within the seas that wash the shores of Australasia. Its example might, we think, be advantageously followed throughout New Zealand. By the exercise of a little judicious management other eusting Catholic societies, clubs, confraternities, etc., might also be brought within the sphere of the social influence of the H.A.C.B.S. and made contributory to its fmther spread and usefulness. (4) Two years a^o we urged upon the Executive ' a more energetic and systematic canvassing crusade,' Writing upon this point we said : 4 We cannot 'help thinking that much good might be effected by an acuve, energetic organising secretary of good manners and address, thoroughly posted in his subject and supplied with suitable leaflets, etc., for distribution among possible members and their friends. Such a man, properly deputed by the Executive, would undoubtedly have the cordial co-operation of the clergy everywhere, would strengthen existing Branches, and found new Branches in many centres of population where the green sash has never yet appeared. But mere spasmodic effort is not enough. If eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, perpetual energy is the price of s.iccess in the organisation of such bodies us the Hibernian-Australasian Catholic Benefit Society.'