FEDERATED CATHOLIC CLUBS

New Zealand Tablet, 7 April 1910, Page 535

FEDERATED CATHOLIC CLUBS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE The ninth annual conference of the Federated Catholic Clubs of New Zealand was held in St. Columba’s Club rooms, Greymouth, during Easter week. Mr. A. H. Casey, president of the Federation, occupied the chair. The following delegates were present: —Messrs. J. Clarke (Wellington), E. Higgins (Blenheim), E. M. Gorman (Westport), T? M. O’Connell and H. McSwiggan (Christchurch), T. N. Warren and T. Sellers (Hokitika), A. F. O’Donoghue and T. M Heffernan (St. Columba)* H. Miles (Dunedin South). : The conference, which extended over ten hours (says .Grey liiver Argus), was attended by a large number of club members, local clergy, and Marist Brothers. The Rev. Father McCarthy, who extended a hearty welcome to the delegates, congratulated them on the splendid work which is being accomplished through the instrumentality of the Federation, and trusted that the present conference would be the means of arousing enthusiasm among young men in general and result in the formation of many men’s clubs. The annual report and balance sheet were adopted. The report showed that there were twenty-two affiliated clubs, while a number of others were about to be admitted to the Federation. The formal business being disposed of, the following notices of motion were dealt with: -Mr. A. F. O’Donoghue (St. Columba) moved: An amendment of the last sentence of Rule 6. The deletion of the word “permanently,” and the addition (after the word “Wellington”) of the following words, viz., “ or in some other place as the annual conference may, from time to time select’ (referring to the location of the executive). After a lengthy discussion the motion was put and lost. Mr. T. M. Heffernan (St. Columba) moved; ‘The hon. secretary shall, from time to time, supply the various affiliated clubs with copies of the rules and regulations of the Federation at a cost to be fixed by the executive, and shall within six weeks after each conference issue to the various clubs printed slips containing such amendment and addition to rules as have been carried at such conference. — Carried. Mr. A. H. Casey for the executive moved: An amendment of Rule 7 —The deletion of the last sentence (locale of annual conference) and the substitution of the following words, viz., The annual conference shall be held alternately at Christchurch and Wellington.! An amendment, moved by Mr. O’Gorman (Westport), ‘ That the annual conference be held alternately at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin,’ AA-as negatived by 17 to 5. The motion being put to the meeting, was carried by 16 to 6. Mr. A. F. O’Donoghue (St. Columba) moved: An amendment of Rule —‘ The deletion of the last sentence (referring to the privileges of life members). —Carried. Mr. Miles (Dunedin) for the executive moved: An addition to Rule —‘ No person who owes membership subscription or other moneys to an affiliated club, or who has been expelled or is under suspension by any such club, shall, without the written consent of the executive of that club, be admitted a member of another affiliated club.’ Carried. _ Mr. T. M. Heffernan (St. Columba) moved: An amendment of Rule 7— ‘ The deletion of the second sentence and the substitution of the following words, viz., “ Such conference shall be attended by councillors or delegates representing affiliated clubs; clubs with a membership of not less than 50 be entitled to two votes; clubs with a less membership than 50 to be entitled to one vote.’ After some considerable discussion the motion was negatived by 13 to 10. The election of officers for the ensuing term resulted as follows: President-general, his Grace Archbishop Redwood, S.M., D.D.; president, Mr. A. H. Casey; vice-presi-dent, Mr. H. McKeowen; hon. secretary, Mr. J. L. Leydon; hon. treasurer, Mr. J. McGowan; executive, the foregoing officers and Messrs. E. B. L. Reade, D. Butler, and E. J. Leydon. A suggestion was approved that the clubs’ magazine be made the joint official organ of the various Catholic societies and organisations in New Zealand, bringing the publication under special joint management, to be issued monthly instead of quarterly. A report by the president (Mr. A. H. Casey) on the recent Catholic Congress and on his observations in Australia as affecting Catholic clubs was much apprecated by the delegates, who noted many valuable suggestions. - Several valuable papers bearing pertinently on the work of Catholic clubs and boys’ guilds were read and discussed. Mr. L. T. Reich el, of Wellington, and Mr. J. Burgess, of Timaru, forwarded papers dealing with the best means of promoting and ensuring the continuance of the welfare of Catholic clubs in New Zealand.’ Both papers, which were discussed at great length, proved a source of valuable information for the delegates. The written reports (on the past year’s work) from the various affiliated clubs proved that the clubs are accomplishing splendid work in their respective districts; a large number of clubs have their own rooms and are entirely free of debt, while the membership of the various clubs ranges from 50 to 200. '

i- ■i was decided to. support the movement for the estabn +? n ffences of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Catholic Seamen’s Conferences, and to help to increase the membership of the H.A.C.B. Society. P 6 conference passed a motion extending fraternal greetings to the H.A.C.B. Society, sitting at Wellington. j; A heaity vote of thanks was accorded Miss E. Roche for acting as shorthand reporter. rvn ln moving a hearty vote of thanks to the chair, Mr. O Donoghue congratulated Mr. Casey on his election to the piesidency for the fifth term, assuring him that the affiliated clubs AA-ould ever strive to assist the executive in their complicated duties. Mr. Casey, in responding, congratulated the delegates on the splendid work which had been accomplished during the session, and assured them that the executive would still Federation° W ° rb ddlen tly in the best interests of the Easter 6 1911 conferencG will be held at Christchurch during