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New Zealand Tablet, 5 February 1914, Page 26

CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN COUNCIL.

(From our own correspondent.) On Tuesday evening, the half-yearly general meeting of the Christchurch Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation was opened in the Christchurch Catholic Club rooms, Wiltshire buildings. The president, Mr. W. Hayward, jun., presided. The clergy were represented by the 'Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G. (St. Mary’s, Christchurch North), Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm. (Cathedral), Rev. Dr. Kennedy (Methven-Rakaia), Rev. Fathers O’Donnell (Ashburton), Richards (Hawarden), Cooney (Lyttelton), and O’Connor (Lincoln), and various diocesan branches of the Federation by Messrs. J. R. Hayward (Cathedral), T. H. Cape-Williamson (St. Mary’s, Christchurch North), T. Keenan (Greymouth), W. Barry and W. Gallon (Fairlie), P. Randle and P. Tully (Rakaia),. M. Poff and T. McAnulty (Methven), J. A. Black and S. J. Ryan (Rangiora), and J. E. Doolan (Lyttelton). The above mentioned clergy also incidentally represented their respective parochial districts. Owing to the harvest operations many of the appointed delegates of country branches were - unable to attend, and at the request of some proxies were appointed as follow: Geraldine, Mr. P. G. Augarde ; Temuka, Mr. J. J. O’Gorman; Ross, Mr. F. Smith,’ Ahaura, Mr. T. Sheehan. . The president in a brief address cordially welcomed the ‘ delegates. He said that he was gratified by the ; excellent - attendance, .especially in view of : the long distances many of the delegates had travelled to be present, and ' trusted all would speak freely on the subjects. appearing on the agenda paper. Although the -Federation movement in the diocese .was not yet a year old. the results achieved were eminently satisfactory. ....... • ... >v . ■ The Very Rev. Dean Hills commented in a pithy address on the excellent work that had already been 1 accomplished in the matter of organisation. The good results,accruing were even now manifest, and he warmly commended the energy and enthusiasm displayed in, what was but really the beginning of a great movement; that must eventually prove beneficial in an eminent degree.

The report of the Diocesan Council Executive and treasurer’s statement were read and adopted. Comprehensive reports were given on behalf oi all branches represented as to organisation, local activities, and statistical information. . Particulars were given of the recent formation of three branchesviz., at Rangiora, Lyttelton, and Hawarden, with most satisfactory results. Spirited discussion ensued upon the following subjects: Organisation, the activities of the Catholic Immigration Committee and the best methods of co-operating, literature, the education question, the Bible-in-schools question, and other matters of pressing importance to the Catholic body. On the question of organisation excellent speeches were delivered. Mr. J. J. O’Gorman and Mr. T. H. C. Williamson showed how vigorously this work had been undertaken, and how unresponsive were the people generally. The former thought that there would be better results were the congregations made to feel that joining the Federation was a strict duty, and not, as many supposed, a purely optional proceeding with blit a visionary object. The Rev. Father Cooney advocated educating the people on the many advantages of the Federation, and incidentally instilling into them the hopelessness of individual action in improving the Catholic position, or bringing about a settlement of the many questions affecting Catholic interests. He was strongly of opinion that if lectures were given by some one, who would make a close study of ! the aims and objects of the movement and the many advantages it' embraced, every desired object would be attained. Mr. J. R. Hayward said he had great faith in the power of the clergy to influence the people in a way that lay advocates of any movement, if they did not entirely fail, could but meet with inconsiderable success. He strongly advocated pulpit reference, Mr. T. Keenan was strongly of opinion that the Federation should advance a solid programme, and work on a well defined platform. A purely sentimental movement would attain nothing. What all branches wanted was a goal to strive for in the concrete; abstract principles were all right in theory, but what enthusiasts in any cause desired was something that would enable tangible results to be achieved. In educational matters, Mr. Keenan said, there was much to be desired. Many of the schools should be better equipped, and in the accommodation of the teachers there was room for vast improvement. People should be made to realise more fully how much they were indebted to the Marist Brothers? for the splendid work they were doing in the Dominion. Here was a subject that could well be advocated by the Federation. A lead was wanted, and the Federation should give it. One of the most inspiring addresses on this subject was given by the Rev. Father Richards, who remarked that in his wide parochial district, the work had been most enthusiastically taken up at Hawarden and Amberley; but he insisted that the towns, with all their facilities and favorable conditions, must give the lead to the country, and the results, so far as the country was concerned, need not be feared. Several speakers contended for a clear-cut ‘objective ’ being defined on questions most affecting Catholic interests as a guide to all branches. 4j ',.■<■ The president made a statement regarding the ; operations of the Catholic Immigration Committee,, and mentioned that only the previous week a small contingent of Catholic newcomers were met on arrival and speedily placed in positions. * The secretary spoke on the question of literature and the measures taken to suppress the circulation of anti-Catholic and other objectionable productions. He suggested that branches., be recommended to get a supply of Bishop Cleary’s writings, and distribute them to candidates for political honors, to clubs, libraries, and reading-rooms, and wherever they could profitably fulfil the mission they were intended for. ’ , Several speakers expressed views on the subject, and it was finally agreed that attention having been

directed, branches could use their own judgment on the matter. *- The subject of education* with reference to the necessity of Catholics taking part in school committee elections, occasioned considerable discussion, the principal speakers for and against being the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Rev. Father Cooney, Rev, Father O’Donnell, Rev. Father Richards, Mr. J. J. O’Gorman, Mr. T. Keenan, Mr. P. Randle, and Mr. J. E. Doolan. It was decided, on the motion of Mr. Keenan, seconded by Mr Randle, and supported by Rev. Father Richards, that no action be taken. The Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., introduced the Bible-in-schools question, and recommended a continuance of the methods advocated throughout the Dominion for Catholics to combat the efforts of the League advocates. ’ Rev. Father O’Connor, Mr. F. Smith, and Mr. Williamson also spoke on the subject. Mr. J. R. Hayward moved, and the Rev. Dr Kennedy seconded the - following motion—‘ That it be a recommendation to the Dominion Executive to draw up a list of questions to be submitted to all candidates at the forthcoming elections.’ This was carried unanimously. With regard to general politics, this was regarded as outside the functions of the Federation, which should confine itself at the present stage to the urgent necessity of having every Catholic voter enrolled on both the Parliamentary and Municipal rolls. ' The acting executive was elected formally as the official body, in accordance with the constitution and rules, with the addition of Messrs. J. J. O’Gorman and J.*E. Doolan. Nineteen branches of the Federation, with a number of sub-committees, are now in working order in the diocese, with a membership of several thousand. It is anticipated that before the next general meeting in July no parochial district in the Christchurch diocese will be outside the Federation, and that when organisation is complete it will 'be possible to concentrate all efforts in the solid work for which the Federation was established. Leeston, Darfield, and Akaroa parochial districts only remain to be organised, and it is the intention of the members of the Executive to endeavor to personally visit and open branches there in readiness for the visit of the general, secretary and organiser (Mr. Girling-Butcher). The presence at the meeting and the weighty and logical utterances of the clergy on the subjects discussed demonstrated, beyond all doubt, how absolutely essential for the success of the Federation it is to have their active co-operation and steadying influence when questions of the utmost importance to the Catholic body are to be considered and settled. This fact was frequently emphasised in branch reports, and verbally, at the conference. Impressive, too, was the keen

grasp of subjects and debating ability displayed by the lay delegates, revealing a latent power that must eventually prove an effective force, and gain for the Church and religion in the Dominion that rightful measure of recognition and consideration, its numerical strength demands. * The president closed the meeting by thanking the clergy, and lay delegates for their attendance at considerable inconvenience and loss of time so far as their every-day duties were concerned. He felt sure all would agree that the meeting, and all similar ones, would have the desired tendency in proving the value of the Federation. AUCKLAND. (By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) On Sunday evening after devotions, a very successful meeting of the Catholic Federation was held in the schoolroom, Otahuhu. Very Rev. Father Buckley presided over a very large attendance. The meeting was addressed by the organiser' (Mr. Girling-Butcher), who explained in detail the aims and objects of the Federation, and his address was listened to with much interest throughout. After the meeting an enrolment of members took place. The proceedings closed with votes of thanks to the lecturer, .chairman, and to Mr. Little, Who kindly placed his motor car at the disposal of the organiser to enable him to visit Otahuhu on the Sunday evening. Mr. Girling-Butcher. addressed a large meeting of the St. Patrick s Cathedral branch of the Federation on Monday evening, February 2, in the Hibernian Hall. He leaves Auckland to-night for Whangarei, Dargaville, and Helensville, and will be engaged in the Northern Territory for about a week. On Monday, February 9, he will return to Auckland and address a meeting in the Remuera parish, and on Sunday, February 15, he is to address a meeting at Hamilton. On Sunday afternoon, a large meeting of the ladies of Auckland was held in St. Benedict’s Hall for the purpose of forming a Catholic Immigration Committee for the port of Auckland. The meeting was addressed by the organiser of the Catholic Federation (Mr. Gir-ling-Butcher), who explained the great necessity for such a committee and the work that was alredy being done in Wellington. As a result of the meeting a committee of forty ladies was elected to carry out this important work of the Federation. The Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan, V.G., was elected president of the C.1.C., and Miss A. Lorrigan hon. secretary. The Cathedral parish meeting, to be addressed by Mr. Girling Butcher, has been fixed for Monday, February 9, in the Hibernian Hall, and it is * expected to be a very large gathering.