Notes

New Zealand Tablet, 29 August 1912, Page 34

Notes

The Reduced Subscription It is hardly necessary, perhaps, to mention—we do so to avoid even the possibility of misunderstanding— in connection with the reduced subscription to the N .Z. Tablet, all subscribers who have already paid in advance at ft the old rate will have the amount fully credited to them on the new scale as from Ist October, 1912. American Catholic Societies and Divorce .The following message from New York appeared in Friday’s cables: * The American Federation of Catholic Societies has pasesd a resolution denouncin° r divorce on any terms, and regretting its growing prevalence.’ The only remarkable thing about this message, is the fact that the press agent should ever have found time to cable such a sensible item. Scholarship Candidates’ Applications In connection with the matter of scholarships we desire to draw the attention of teachers to the advisableness of obtaining immediate information from the secretary of- their local Education Board as to the date limit within which candidates’ notice of their intention to compete must be sent in. In respect to Board scholarships, the date varies slightly in different education districts, but full information, together with forms of . application, may be had on application to the Board secretary. In regard to National scholarships, we have been semi-officially informed by telephone that the examination takes place on November 28 and 29, and that candidates are required to send in their applications before September 16 but we advise teachers who may be interested to obtain direct official information for themselves. ‘The Duties of Catholic Workmen ’ Writing under this heading, the Melbourne Tribune has some wise words on a plain and practical duty which is staring every Catholic worker in the face. ’ We quote a portion as follows: ‘As probably 80 per . cent, of our

Catholic laymen belong to the ranks of labor, everything that relates to social and economic conditions necessarily has a special interest for them. As they form such a large proportion of the working class, it is their bounden duty to take an active and intelligent part in all that pertains to their industrial interests. Most of them are members of the various trades unions established to conserve and protect their rights—and they are wise in their generation in thus uniting for self-protection. But there is still a lot more to be done. Membership is all very well. Active interest is much more important, and here it is that the Catholic worker too often shows his • weakness.. Instead of taking a prominent part in Trades Hall matters, he is conspicuous by his absence. From modesty, laziness, or indifference he will not come forward as a candidate to represent . his council at the Trades Hall. He will not shoulder his share of the burden, and very often leaves to an inferior, but more industrious, man, the task of performing a duty that should rightly be his.’ *

It is absolutely necessary,’ continues our contemporary, ‘ that our Catholic workers should not shirk their duty in this regard. They should make themselves acquainted with what the Church teaches regarding Socialism and the rights of property, and should be able, without obtrusiveness, to put before their fellowworkers the views of the Church on industrial troubles and kindred matters. Thus fortified they would be of immense value, both to their union and the State. Catholics sometimes complain of the Socialistic tendencies of unions of which they are members, but a little close questioning will always elicit the regrettable fact that they have not in any way tried to influence the views of their brother workers. They are. not in the inner councils tq give the Church’s views when subjects of momentous issue are discussed. If Catholic workers did their part honestly and fairly they would prove to be the leaven that leaveneth the whole. They would advance the cause of Labor and stay the progress of Socialism. The latter is the bugbear which checks and always will check the advance of Labor. If the general public were assured that the terms Socialism and Labor were not synonymous, Labor would be continually triumphant. But until the loud-tongued and shallow-brained Socialist demagogue is .silenced the progress of the Labor cause will be retarded.’ We have only to add that the Catholic worker has not the shadow of an excuse for not being well posted on Catholic principles in regard to the Labor question, as there is a cheap, abundant, and easily accessible literature on the subject.