The New Zealand Tablet THURSDAY, OCTOBER, 16, 1913. FEDERATION ACTIVITY

New Zealand Tablet, 16 October 1913, Page 33

The New Zealand Tablet THURSDAY, OCTOBER, 16, 1913. FEDERATION ACTIVITY

*HE , action of the Dominion Executive in WlilljW appointing a salaried secretary and rtCnlll® t organiser who should devote his whole time V to the work of the Federation was not i only a wise but an absolutely necessary step if the organisation is tobecome the power and the success which we all ’hope * . and desire that it should be. In its late honorary secretary, Mr. P. D. Hoskins, the Federation was fortunate in having a man of tireless energy, unbounded enthusiasm, and very marked ability ; and the interests of the organisation certainly did not suffer during the brief period in which they were placed in his very capable hands. But an expand- / ing organisation brought with it expanding work ; and the secretarial duties alone are now such that no man could adequately overtake them who is engaged at the same time in following any other occupation. There is, besides, the urgently necessary work of organising and in the South Island, at least, there are many calls for a speaker who will authoritatively explain the objects of the Federation, and give a definite outline of the work that is before it. Beyond all doubt and question there is ample need and ample work for an officer who will give his whole and undivided time and attention to developing the Federation. * The newly-appointed secretary, Mr Girling-Butcher, is not as well known in the South Island as we hope he soon will be ; but in Wellington he has been connected with the Federation movement since its inception, and the members of the Dominion Executive, who are intimately acquainted with the man and his work, are confident that he .will make a big success of the important undertaking to which he has devoted himself. Already his energy and activity have borne fruit. As will be seen from the report of last week’s meeting ' of the Dominion Executive— we publish elsewhere in this issue and to which we direct the attention of our readers has been successful in inducing a Wellington bookseller to withdraw a placard displaying an advertisement of an objectionable book and to promise that he would not take • any more orders for the volume. As showing the value and possibilities of this sort of work, it may be added that the bookseller in question has actually asked the Federation to advise him in future with regard to offensive works, in order that he may refrain from selling any such publications. The new secretary has also obtained from the Minister of Education a definite and written promise that he will see that lectures of an anti-Catholic and altogether objectionable character, which have been given in some of our State secondary colleges, are prevented in future. - These things may be small in themselves; but they are an early and tangible,earnest of the good results

that may be expected from having a definite and permanent official directly responsible for attending to the objects of the Federation. In his first report to the Executive the secretary has outlined a preliminary, programme of the work which it is intended to undertake on. behalf of the Federation. Ambitious and comprehensive as it is, it is all reasonably feasible; and is only an instalment of the continuous and valuable work which may confidently be expected when the organisation has been fully launched as a live and going concern. " . ,r . , * : It only remains now for our Catholic people throughout the Dominion to loyally and heartily support the Executive in the important step which they have taken. The time has passed for apathy, lukewarmness, and arm-chair criticism. The noble army of cold water-pourers—as Washington Irving used to call them—who love to sit on the fence and pick holes while others' work, may reasonably be invited to come out of the cold water business, and take their coats off. A general election will, soon be upon us ; and it may be fraught with issues of vital moment to the Catholic body. If you wish for peace, says the old Latin maxim, be prepared for war. If you wish to have your rights respected, show by thorough and united organisation .that you are in a position to defend them. The man who puts his hand to the plough, and then looks back, •is deservedly reprobated and despised. The Catholic body, through its hierarchy, through its priests, through ; its .press, and through its own voluntary and deliberate action, is committed to the Catholic Federation and our reputation for courage, capacity, loyalty, and . solidarity, stands or falls by the measure of success which that organisation achieves. We earnestly bespeak for the Executive and its new secretary the whole-hearted co-operation of our people and if the appeal is responded to, as we are sure it will be, we shall show in this country, as our co-religionists have shown in other lands, the wonders that can be accomplished by those who, though small in numbers, are united in purpose, and are knit together in the bonds of that ‘victory which overcometh the world, our faith.’