Notes

New Zealand Tablet, 2 May 1912, Page 34

Notes

The AH India Education League ' ; " ; ■■z\\} "> •,-••■■- We have received from the Catholic Herald of India a pamphlet;' prepared by the Editor, 'giving*; a full, true, and particular account of the more or less anti-Catholic movement which is making a general appeal throughout the Empire for the' creation of a 'Fund for the Improvement of European Schools in India. Father Neut, S.J-.'-, has done his work well; and the pamphlet s wilt be of distinct service should the sponsors of this high-sounding but by no means disinterested movement extend their canvass to New Zealand. -•-: •

Hibernians to the Fore We have often - pointed out the desirableness of Catholic theatre-goers making definite protest against anti-Catholic or objectionable shows and -we have suggested that, when occasion arose, the Hibernian Society might fittingly act the part of a ~ vigilance committee, and make their influence felt. We are glad to learn that two or three days ago the Wellington Hibernians made a very effective and successful move in this direction. At one of the many picture theatres of that city, as we are informed by our correspondent, a film was being shown bearing the title of A Florentine Drama.' The ' plot was something as follows : The nephew of a cardinal becomes infatuated with a girl who is not approved of by the cardinal. The latter has some other girl in view for his nephew; and he is determined to prevent the unfavorable marriage. For this purpose he uses his influence with the authorities to issue to him a bogus death warrant, with which he threatens the girl, declaring that, if she persists in receiving the attentions of his nephew, he will forthwith put it into execution: He is defied in the regular true lovers' style. The union is planned secretly, and the couple are in the act of being married when discovery is made, and both are put into prison. The girl repents; and under coercion from the cardinal retires into a convent. Her lover makes a sensational escape from gaol; ascertains where the girl is ;' disguises himself as a monk, and is thereby permitted—in the pictureto enter the bed-chamber of the girl; and both are left alone. He holds his face averted; and the girl rises from her bed to ascertain the reason of the monk's visit, whereupon he turns his face upon her and she instantly recognises him. An escape is planned; but whilst in the act of escaping, they are both shot dead.

The whole business is stupid to a degree; but the most objectionable feature of the film was of course the bed-chamber scene, in which the monk was admitted by one of the nuns without the least question as to his identity or mission. The film was on view from Monday until Wednesday, when it was seen by a prominent Hibernian Mr. J. W. Callaghan—who at once mooted the idea of a Catholic protest. A deputation, consisting of Messrs. T. Dwan, J.P., E J. Fitzgibbon, LL.B., W. Perry, J. W. Callaghan, J. J. L. Burke, P. D. Hoskins, P. J. McGovern, Leo Ley don, and M. O’Kane, accompanied by a representative of the press, waited on the manager; and 'Messrs. J. W. Callaghan, T. Dwan, and W. Perry placed before .him the objections both from a religious and a moral standpoint to such a - picture. • The manager expressed his sincere regret for the incident; issued instructions to have the film immediately withdrawn; and gave an assurance that never while he was in charge of a picture theatre would such an offence be repeated. The special value of such a protest is that it not only puts a stop to the particular offence . complained of, but acts also as a warning to other managers; and the deputation took care to secure this result by having a suitable paragraph inserted in the , Wellington press. Hearty congratulations to Bro. Callaghan and -his friends! They have set a splendid example, and have established a precedent which will, we hope, be widely followed.