CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 9 July 1914, Page 49

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

CATHOLIC IMMIGRATION COMMITTEE., WELLINGTON. (From the corresponding secretary.) The first annual meeting of the C.I.G. was held in St. Bride’s Clubroom, Wellington, on Tuesday, June 23. he room was packed, and the attendance included visitors from as far north as Te Aroha, while the southern districts were represented by visitors from Balfour. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea evidenced his practical interest in the work of this branch of the Federation by his presence and the address given, in which he covered practically the whole work of the committee. The Rev. Fathers Barra and Venning, the latter having recently been appointed spiritual director, were also present. The men’s branch of the C.I.C. was represented by Mr. D. Lawlor. The Auckland delegate (Miss A. V. Lorrigan) was unavoidably prevented from attending by family sickness. The president occupied the chair, and the lion, secretaries (Miss Wheeler and Mrs. B. Ellis) read the reports. Members of the Dominion Executive (Messrs. R. P. Flanagan and T. McCoskcr) attended, the former being the authorised representative of the parent body. The whole proceedings showed the great interest taken alike by members and visitors in the good work being carried on for the welfare of newcomers to this Dominion. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr. G. Girling-Butcher (re-elected); vicepresident, Miss N. Burke joint lion, secretaries, Miss Wheeler (re-elected) and Mrs. B. Ellis (re-elected). The business of the meeting having concluded, a short programme of music was supplied by Miss Murray, Messrs. Dunne, Rowlands, and Girling-Butcher, the accompanist being Mrs. B. Ellis. Refreshments were provided by the committee. The following is a summary of the general report:— , The C.I.C. was inaugurated under the auspices of the St. Vincent de Paul Society on June 4, 1913, when, the then president of the particular council of the ladies’ auxiliaries (Mrs. L. Reichel) called together representatives of the city conferences. Twelve members volunteered, and a committee was set up, the following officers being elected: Vice-president, Miss Reichel; joint lion, secretaries, Miss Wheeler and Mrs. B. Ellis. The presidency was left vacant. At a meeting held on June 23, it being deemed advisable for the C. to be a sub-committee of the Federation, Mr. Girling-Butcher was invited to be present and was elected president and Mr. B. Ellis appointed representative of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Although beset with many obstacles and difficulties, not the least being the pessimistic attitude of some of our own Catholics, who thought our organisation premature and somewhat unnecessary, the result of our year’s work shows that the need was a pressing one. Non-Catholics arc, and have been for some time past, keenly alive to the wants of immigrants, and, assisted by wealthy sympathisers, have provided ways and means for doing much to alleviate the loneliness of newcomers to this Dominion. Members of the C.I.C. have not failed to notice the alacrity and energy of the various societies for this purpose, and, assuredly, if we are not ready and willing to assist out people, other denominations are, often to the detriment of the immigrants’ faith. In order that those interested, who are not conversant with our methods, may glean some idea of what we set out to do, it may be well to give an outline of the usual routine. The work begins the day before the boat is due, when you ring incessantly, in a usually vain endeavour to ascertain the exact hour when the vessel is expected in the stream. The necessity for accuracy will be realised, when the fact is disclosed that the majority of the oversea boats arrive in the early morning hours. The doctor’s launch conveys the visitors to the liner within a few minutes of anchoring, and, after the passengers have passed the medical officer, the visiting members are at liberty to meet the Catholics, who

are usually such a very small proportion of the ship’s company that we must emphasise the necessity for active inquiries by the representatives of the C.I.C. Merely wearing a badge and visiting the boats does not serve to bring us into contact with retiring Irish folk. They aie invariably most grateful for the welcome they receive, and are anxious to hear details of their new life, and particularly information regarding churches, schools, and priests. The medical inspection usually takes about two hours, after which the vessel berths. here is so much hurry and confusion at the wharf that it is almost useless trying to get in touch with people there. Our work must be done before the vessel berths. To every Catholic is given a card bearing the address of the Federation office. They are informed that lodgings with Catholics can be obtained by calling there, and that helj> will be given towards getting employment. Owing to the effects of the recent strike, this last has been somewhat difficult. Those going to Auckland are given the address of the Auckland office. In the case of passengers bound for other parts of the Dominion, having no friends to meet them, we communicate by or letter with our agents at such places, asking them to meet and assist the people, and paiticularly to introduce them to the parish priest. The C.I.C. aims especially at caring for domestics, whose lot in a new country is a somewhat lonely one. It was realised that it was useless meeting such girls on arrival, and then leaving them to their own devices. To obviate this, and afford an opportunity for immigrants and oversea girls to meet one another, the C.I.C. instituted a senes of monthly social evenings, and eventually opened St. Bride’s Club for them. One kind friend supplied a large room at a small rental ; others have generously assisted to comfortably furnish it. The club is managed by a joint committee of three C.I.C. members and five girls. A small subscription of sixpence per month to defray expenses is asked for. In addition to providing lodgings and employment for girls arriving here, the C.I.C. has been called on in several instances to assist somewhat distressing cases, and one consumptive girl who is now in the Seddon shelters. Another consumptive— a boy of 19—who was at first refused admission to the Dominion, was, by the exertions and intervention of Mr. Lawlor, our male representative, allowed to go to his mother at Temuka. Many grateful letters arc received from time to time from those welcomed. The C.I.C. owes a debt of gratitude to the Brothers of St. Vincent de Paul at Hobart, who, for some months, regularly boarded each vessel calling there, distributed our cards, and blue and white badges for the Catholic passengers to wear. As our members wear badges of the same colors, it is easy for each to recognise the other. Thanks to the energy and enthusiasm of our president, who has when touring on Federation business, put our work before his numerous audiences, we have agents in practically every district in New Zealand. Auckland has a good committee, which is doing excellent work, also Christchurch part of their committee being stationed at Lyttelton. Before stating the result of our year’s work we should like to call attention to the fact that quarantine regulations naturally interfere with our duties, and consequently have prevented us meeting several boats. During the 12 months ,we have had 22 meetings, with an average attendance,of 11 members. At present we number 22 active and seven honorary member's. We would gladly welcome more, particularly active members for although we number 22, only about 12 are really in a position to meet the boats. It entails much selfsacrifice and time, but the results are satisfactory. Since the inauguration of our work, two or more boats have been visited each month, and several hundred Catholics welcomed. Doubtless, there are. quite a number we have missed, but when one realises the difficulties encountered, and, in many cases, the hesitancy of Catholics acknowledging their faith, we feel that the efforts of the past year have been successful. We hope in the near future to be in direct communication with the Catholic Women’s League. Mrs. Swain, a Catholic matron in the employ of the New Zealand Shipping

Co., is much interested in our work, and at her desire she was elected an honorary member. She called on the secretary of the Westminster Federation, and has sent us particulars of the Catholic Women’s League. We trust, with the help of this excellent society, to have fuller opportunities for performing this very necessary work. The thanks of the C.I.C. are due to the Immigration Department and the officials, with whom our members have come in contact, for their assistance and courtesy. We must, before closing, call attention to the great need of a Catholic hostel. Obviously it is unwise for our girls to be obliged to go to the Young Women’s Christian Association or the Girls’ Friendly Society, and until we have a recognised hostel of our own this is generally insisted upon by the Government matron. Miss A. V. Lorrigan, the Auckland secretary, reports:— Since, the formation of the C.I.C. in Auckland, very good work has been done. The ladies of the different parishes are well represented and are very enthusiastic in meeting boats and trains, and in several instances have paid three visits in one day, so eager were they that they should not miss any one. The girls are in some cases taken to the members’ own homes, and kept for some days until situations are found for them. Since the inauguration of the society, about four months ago, many persons have been found employment and homes with Catholic families. Our thanks are due to Monsignor Gillan for the very great interest he is taking in this work, and also to Rev. Father Carran, of Ormond, for finding work for the immigrants on farms in this district. We trust we shall do still better in the future, when we hope to bo more initiated in the work.’ Christchurch and Lyttelton branch, per Miss W. Mahar, reports that the Christchurch members have found work for several people, met in Lyttleton, and that they were all doing well. In several instances a reluctance on the part of immigrants to make themselves known caused much inconvenience and extra work.