CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 11 September 1913, Page 29

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

WELLINGTON. (From our own correspondent.) At the next meeting of the Dominion Executive the matter of the appointment of a paid permanent secretary and the establishment and the equipment of an office will be discussed and probably settled. _ The signed petitions have been called in, but in view of recent happenings we must be ready to present them at any moment, and parish committees' are urged to see that every Catholic in their respective parishes signs the forms. For that reason, if any spare forms are left and if there is any chance of securing fresh signatures they should be retained and used forthwith, if not they should be returned to the .secretary, P.o' Box 958, Wellington. Any parishes requiring more forms should apply to the secretary of the Federation. Parish committees are urged to see that the Tablet is filed for reference in the local library, and'any objectionable books, or periodicals filed there should be brought under notice. Reports of the formation of new branches and the strengthening of existing ones have been received and are most encouraging. Diocesan councils have been supplied with copies of the amended constitution, and the report of the first meeting of the Dominion Council. The executive is keeping in touch with, the Australian and English Federations, and will co-operate with the latter in the matter of immigration and securing justice at the other end for Catholic immigrants who wish to come to New Zealand.. On the establishment of an office and the appointment of a permanent secretary the executive intend establishing a labor bureau, and parish committees knowing of any employment offering in their, districts will be able to communicate with the secretary of the Federawho will register it, and any Catholic or Catholic immigrant requiring employment will be directed to it. Similarly Catholic employers in search .of Catholic employees will be able to communicate with the secretary, and if possible their wants will be attended to. A meeting of the Catholic immigration committee was held at the. presbytery, Boulcott street, on August 22, eight members being present. In the absence of the president, the chair was occupied by Mr. Ellis, who referred to the recent conference with the hierarchy, during which immigration work was considered. The C.I.C. is much encouraged to hear of the interest shown, especially by Bishop Cleary, who apparently; intends advocating the formation of a branch in Auckland. Reports were received from members : of visit's to the Waimana and Rotorua. The quarantine regulations still hamper the work, and the C.I.C. notes the extraordinarily low percentage of Catholic immigrants. A resolution was passed calling the attention of the Catholic Federation to this matter, and suggesting that enquiries be made as to the 'cause. Correspondence was' read from the men's and the .newly formed ladies' branches of the St. Vincent de Paul Conferences at Wanganui. The C.I.C. appreciates the co-operation of these branches, and hopes to have the assistance" of other bniflehes tln H oygho«t the Dominion;: ■