CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 21 May 1914, Page 31

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

DOMINION EXECUTIVE.

(From our Wellington correspondent.) The Dominion Executive- of the Catholic Federation met last Wednesday evening under the presidency of Mr. J. J. L. Burke, the Rev .Father Hurley, S.M., Adm., and Mr. M. J. Sheahan (treasurer of the Auckland Dio"besan Council) being present. Reports were received from Messrs. Loughnan and Murray, of the Riverview Ecclesiastical College, Sydney, who acted as New Zealand's representatives at the great Catholic Federation demonstration in the Sydney Town Hall. The demonstration was most successful, and marked with considerable enthusiasm. New South Wales has now 172 branches, with 40,000 members, and has already justified its existence in more ways than one. A deputation from the Wellington Trades and Labor Council attended the meeting, and requested the support of the Catholic Federation in the Council's advocacy of the principle of one day's rest in every seven, and the appointment of a member of the Dominion Executive to accompany a deputation that was being organised to wait on the Prime Minister, urging him to introduce legislation for this end, and by regulation to apply that principle to the public service, such, for instance, as the police, prison warders, night watchmen, etc. After the deputation had withdrawn, the Executive discussed the proposal at some length, and it was eventually agreed that this was a matter coming within the aims and objects of the Catholic Federation, which is an organisation for the purpose of advancing the religious, civil, and social interests of Catholics throughout New Zealand, and as the improvement of the labor conditions of the people has always been the desire of the Catholic Church, such a principle of one day's rest in seven, .or a working week of six days, was a matter for the fullest measure of support by the Federation. Mr. R. P. Flanaghan was appointed to act with the deputation in securing this improvement. The report of the organiser in his tour of the Dunedin diocese was received, and the Executive was please to note the success with which the organiser is meeting and the splendid hospitality and kindness of the clergy, who have made the tour a pleasurable one. It was decided to write to each diocesan secretary requesting a statement of the number of members enrolled in each parish, and the subscriptions received during the March quarter. Until these returns are to hand it is impossible to gauge the progress of the Federation this year as compared with last year. A quantity of routine work was gone through, and Mr. M. J. Sheahan gave an interesting account of the working of the Federation in the Auckland diocese, and congratulated the Dominion Executive on the excellent work it has accomplished. WELLINGTON DIOCESAN COUNCIL. ' The executive of the Wellington Diocesan Council met last Tuesday, when it was decided to hold a great Federation demonstration in the large Town Hall on June 17. A musical programme will be arranged, and several addresses will be given. It was decided to seek

the co-operation of all Catholic societies, clubs, and sodalities in arranging ' for the function, and, if possible, to precede the proceedings with a procession of Catholic societies from the Archbishop's residence to the Town Hall. ' _ . ",.:• .;..': \ ~ gore" (From our own correspondent.) M „ „. ~ May 16. Air. George Girhng-Butcher, secretary and organiser of the Catholic Federation, arrived here last bacurday and, accompanied by the Very Rev. Father O Donnell, proceeded that evening to Tapanui, and spoke there at the conclusion of Mass on Sunday to a large audience. Later on he proceeded to Heriot where he again addressed a meeting at the conclusion of Mass. During the afternoon Very Rev. Father O'Donnell and Mr. Girling-Butcher returned to Gore, where, after Vespers, the organiser addressed a well-attended meeting, beW introduced by Very Rev. Father O'Donnell. Mr. GirlingButcher very , ; ably and forcibly advocated the desirability of Catholics uniting so as to put a stop to many matters affecting their holy faith, and also to remove several injustices under which they labor at present' He explained that the Federation was not a political movement, and had no desire to touch politics except when politics touched religion. He also dealt with the many activities in which the Federation was engaged at the present time, especially in the principal centres of the Dominion. At the conclusion of the address, Mr. D. L. Poppelwell (vice-president of the Dominion Executive) proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Girling-Butcher for his able and lucid explanation of the aims and objects of the Federation. This was seconded by Mr. Michael Carr, and carried unanimously. Mr. Girling-Butcher visited Mataura on Monday evening, and Wyndham on Tuesday evening, and gave similar addresses to representative meetings. On Wednesday evening he was able to take a well-earned rest. Whilst in Gore he was the guest of Very Rev. Father O'Donnell. He proceeded to Riversdale on- Thursday, where fye was to deliver an address that evening. FEILDING. (From our own correspondent.) The Catholic Federation continues to progress very satisfactorily in Feilding and the outlying districts. The membership is now over 150, and new branches will be opened at Rongotea, Kimbolton, and Apiti. Rongotea will be visited on Sunday next by members of the local parish committee, and as a result at least 60 names should be added to the roll.