Monster Catholic Demonstration

New Zealand Tablet, 23 July 1914, Page 35

Monster Catholic Demonstration

PROTESTS AGAINST REFERENDUM BILL RECORD ATTENDANCE & GREAT ENTHUSIASM (% telegraph, from our Wellington correspondent.) July 21. The largest hall that Wellington can boast was all too small for the largest Catholic gathering ever yet held in Wellington. Hundreds were unable to obtain admission. Mr. 11. F. O'Leary, LL.B., presided, and there were present his Grace Archbishop O’Shea, his Lordship Bishop Cleary, Very Rev. Dean McKenna, V.G. (Masterton), Rev. Father Coffey, Adm. (St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Dunedin), Very Rev. Deans Hills, S.M., -G., and Hyland, Very Rev. Chancellor Price (Christchurch), Ven. Archdeacon Devoy (Vice-Provin-cial), Very Rev. Dean Darby (Hamilton), and a large number of the clergy from all parts of the Dominion, as well as lay representatives from every parish in the Dominion. The proceedings opened with a short concert programme, contributed to by Misses Agnes Segrief and J eresa McEnroe, Signor Vilctti, Mr. Indor Mount, and St. Mary’s and Marist Brothers’ Choirs. The chairman received numerous messages of regret for nonattendance, and apologised for the unavoidable absence through illness of their Lordships the Bishops of Christchurch and Dunedin, with whom ho was sure they would all join in offering their sympathy. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea was the first speaker, and was most enthusiastically received. In a stirring speech his Grace combated the impeachment that Catholics were opposed to a national system of education. They had, he said, showed their sincerity in taxing themselves for the upkeep of their Catholic schools in addition to paying towards the upkeep of the State system. He had much pleasure in submitting the following resolution, which he asked them to carry with acclamation— * That this mass meeting of Catholics, made up of representatives and delegates from all parts of the Dominion, respectfully asks Parliament to reject the Religious Instruction in Schools Referendum Bill now before the House, because if carried it will affirm the principle that the vote of a. majority may be used to coerce the consciences of a minority, and because it will lead to the taxation of all the people for the teaching of a religion acceptable only to some of the people.’ Mr. P. J. O’Rogan seconded the resolution, and in an able speech pointed out the inconsistencies of the Bible-in-Schools League, who asserted that a referendum on such a question was democratic politics. Catholics proved their sincerity, he said, by maintaining their own schools for the past forty years. They were there to-night not to attack but to defend, and they were also there to protest against taxes being wrung out of them for the purpose of teaching a State re-

ligion suitable to only one section of the community. He had much pleasure in seconding the resolution. Rev. Father Coffey, who opened his speech in a very humorous way, made himself at once a favorite with the large audience. Ho contended that the object of the Bible-in-Schools League was to foist the teaching of religion from the clergy to the teachers. He emphasised the breach of confidence with the teachers who joined the service to teach the secular system] He proved by quoting passages from the. Australian text-book that the ■ teachers would be called upon to teach religion, and quoted the opinions of the Rev. Dr. Don, Presbyterian minister of Dunedin, and the Rev. D. C. Bates, Anglican. ' He referred to the opinion voiced by the. Anglican Synod of New South Wales, who deplored the inactivity of ministers in teaching religion which if not, improved would have to be abandoned. He pointed out the effects of the system proposed under the Bill, and proved that nothing but sectarian strife would ensue under it. . The motion was then tint. and carried with deafening applause. Bishop Cleary, who was given a splendid ovation, moved the following resolution—‘ That we pledge ourselves as Catholics to still further organise and strengthen the Catholic Federation, that we may be able to carry on more effectively the fight against, this unjust agitation until it is utterly defeated.’ In three and a-half years, his Lordship asserted, the Catholics of Auckland alone had put £61,900 into the sacred cause of religious education. He asked what had the League done during (he past forty years? Simply, like some of the people in the South African war, fought with their mouth only. He likened the League to an Orangeman, who asserted that he did not care what color the town hall would be painted as long as it was yellow. The League did not care what kind of religion was taught under the system they were advocating so long as it was their own. The Catholic Church, on the other hand, followed the example that the Master had sot them in taking the little ones to its heart and caring for them. He asked could they sink their political feelings and stand shoulder to shoulder and united in strenuously resisting this iniquitous measure? To which the large audience responded vociferously ‘ Yes,’ amid applause. Mr. D. L. Poppelwcll, of Gore, in seconding the resolution, dealt with the position of the teachers, who could not conscientiously teach a State religion. In a vigorous speech he denounced the proposals of the Bill, which he had no doubt would be overwhelmingly rejected. • .. Mr. Angland, of Timaru, briefly supported the resolution, which was carried unanimously. The proceedings then terminated with the singing of ‘ Faith of our Fathers,’ accompanied by the grand organ, and rousing cheers for his Lordship Bishop Cleary, Archbishop O’Shea, and the chairman.