CATHOLIC CLUBS

New Zealand Tablet, 18 April 1912, Page 47

CATHOLIC CLUBS

: CONFERENCE «IN WELLINGTON f The eleventh annual conference of the Federated Catholic Clubs of : New Zealand opened on Saturday, April 6, ; in St. Patrick's Hall, Boulcott street, Wellington. The vice-president (Mr. J. P. McGowan) presided, and the representatives > were as follow:'—Auckland, Mr. C. Carroll Onehunga, Mr. L. Carroll; Waihi, Mr. W. Sullivan; Thames, Mr G. Dee; Ota : huhu, Mr. J. Byrne; St. K Benedict's, Newton, Mr. J. J. Sullivan and Mr. B. Sheehan; Wellington, Mr. J. Webb and Mr W. Thomas; St. Anne's, Newtown, Mr. B. A. Guise and Mr. C. Cotter; Blenheim, Mr. W. Tiller;- Christchurch, Mr M. O'Kane; Ashburtoh, Mr. W. Bryant; Timaru, Mr. B.- Leydon; Temuka, Mr. T. Tiller; Queenstown, Mr. L. Burns; Grey mouth,Mr. C. Carmody and Mr. T. Heffernan; Hokitika, Mr. W. Cudehy; Westport, Mr. H. McKeowen; Federated representatives, Messrs; J. P. McGowan and J. L. Leydon. _. ; "■ ">- ' .

His Grace Archbishop Redwood, president-general of the Federation, attended. He expressed his thanks at being afforded, an opportunity of being present, and accorded the delegates a hearty welcome. His Grace expressed the hope that the delegates would conduct their deliberations )_, in the -best interests •: of .Catholic Clubs of "the Dominion. t l ; : ;;' The Very v Rev. Dean Regnault (Provincial), Very Rev. Father O'Connell, and' Rev Fathers Venning (spiritual director), and Herring offered many suggestions for improving the ,condition of federated clubs. ,-.ln delivering his presidential address, the chairman (Mr. McGowan) welcomed the visitors. He hoped that the deliberations would be conducive to the best interests of, federation. - - -'-' . '*

The •• annual report and balance sheet were unanimously adopted. - The report disclosed what must be considered a very encouraging position." Twenty-six clubs are affiliated, showing an increase of three 'on the previous year. • The approximate membership; now stands at 2500. During the year diplomas of merit were awarded for oratory, Mr. J. L. Leydon being the Wellington winner. The management expenses of the federation do not run into very large figures, but it is considered satisfactory that each year it has a credit balance. ;^r ; > ■% >

Several notices of motion. were considered relative to altering the time in which the agenda paper shall be forwarded and notices of motion received. : =-';,-'

Reports .upon the workings of clubs were received from the .respective delegates. In some instances, particularly Auckland, Greymouth, and Wellington, the reports, disclosed considerable activity in -their various 1 adjuncts. - . . „ . '■ ; Many suggestions were made regarding improvements of -the federation and its * constituent clubs. . Perhaps the most valuable came from Mr. Sullivan (Waihi) regarding the appointment of an organiser for all Catholic societies. The subject had been discussed previously, but concerning Catholic clubs the suggestion to appoint federation deputies found considerable support. Referring to his own district, Mr, Sullivan stated that .it ; was his intention to M have a goldfields conference among the Thames, Kararigahake, Waihi, and Paeroa Clubs. ; Mr. Carroll (Auckland) advocated that the executive of t the federation should ' become acquainted with the workings of the Catholic Association in Victoria, in the hope that it would become an active participator ; in the dissemination of Catholic literature. The objects of the association are to print and circulate a refutation of erroneous ideas concerning the Catholic Church. . - . ' ..-.,. - % The conference affirmed the desirableness of mutual co-operation in extending the membership and participation .; in u the work ?c of n the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Seamen's Conference, H.A.C.B Society, and : boys' clubs. ..-, ■ " -.- V - , Mr M. O'Kane brought forward a . proposal for the publication of. a periodical 'to contain club notes and club doings, and to be circulated at a nominal

cost. Mr. J. J. Sullivan (Auckland) strongly favored :the proposal, and offered his services to further the interests of a much-needed journal. The financial aspect, as outlined by Mr. O'Kane, to the minds of j some delegates, did not leave a sufficient margin of profit; The project was, however, referred to the incoming executive. ' " \ -" " - & " e ■ The following motion was , unanimously carried 'That this conference expresses its strong condemnation of _ the attitude of a section of the Socialist Party of violent hostility to his Grace Archbishop Redwood on account■■■ of, his recently issued pastoral : ' letter on Socialism—an attitude which displays a hostility. towards the Church itself ; rather than v a 3 disagreement with the-economic views ; enunciated in ' pastoral; and further expresses; the sympathy arid - pledges the loyal support of: the Federated Catholic ' Clubs throughout New Zealand to the Archbishop under the attacks to, which he has been subjected in consequence of the issue of the pastoral.' V • : '•"" ' '"■■•-~■"• ■■&;>?; Considerable attention was directed towards a proposalt originating from Mr. P. McNamara (Christ, church) regarding the; purchase" of !^: challenge shield for interclub competition, to be Conducted during the progress k of the annual'conferences;' : The subjects chosen were: (1) Debate on a subject to be chosen by the federal executive : and submitted to clubs four weeks prior to the date for holding the annual conference; the judge to be appointed by. the club in the town in which the, conference, is to be held. '•.. (2) Elocution, subject to be -self-chosen, with a proviso that no competitors shall have previously won a firsV prize in this section at a public competition. (3) ; Billiards. (4) Tennis. The first -competition will take place at Easter, 1913, in Christchurch. ; ~...,-' '• f The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as President-general, his Grace Archbishop Redwood; president; Mr. H. McKeowen; vicepresident, Mr. J. P. McGowan; hon. secretary, Mr. J. L. Leydon; hon. treasurer, Mr. C. Carmine; committee, Messrs. A. H. Casey, J. J. Sullivan, and B. A. Guise. . ; v ....■■"'' ■"■'". ■. - ■■'". '-'■'■'•'"" ""-"*■'' ■-"'■•;

Before the conference terminated votes of thanks were accorded the chairman, secretary; - and outgoing officers ; for past services. ' , The visitors were entertained by the Wellington Catholic Club, and on Monday evening a smoke concert was held in their honor .i- ; '■ v'