CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 6 August 1914, Page 35

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

WANGANUI.

(From our own correspondent.) The annual meeting of the Wanganui branch of the Catholic Federation was held in St. Joseph’s Hall on Sunday, the 26th ult., after, the evening devotions. The meeting, which was well attended, was presided over by the Rev. Father Mahoney, S.M. The report and balance sheet, of which the following is a resume, was presented by the secretary of the branch (Mr. J. W. E. Miles). The report shows that the membership now stands at 968. There has, however, been a certain amount of laxity shown in the matter of the renewal of the annual subscriptions, and a greater and more ready response is expected from the general body of the parishioners than has hitherto been the case. Another matter dealt with in the report is that to do with Catholic immigrants. Although the number of this class arriving in Wanganui is not great, a sub-committee, of the' ladies’ auxiliary of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, has been set up to deal with any cases requiring attention. In connection with the Bible-in-schools agitation, reports state that a success-

ful lecture was delivered during the year by his Lordship Bishop Cleary in the Opera House, and that the branch took an active part during the year in the securing of signatures to the Catholic petition against the Biblc-in-schools scheme, the petition having since been presented to the House by the member for the district, Mr. W. A. Veitch. The balance sheet shows a total in receipts of £57 4s fid, in expenditure of £49 6s, and a credit balance of £7 18s fid. Altogether there has been a successful year’s working, which is a matter for congratulation to the clergy, and to the other working members of the branch. OPHIR. (From our own correspondent.) At a meeting representing 250 members of the Ophir branch of the Catholic Federation, it was unanimously resolved to pass a resolution protesting against the Biblc-in-Schools Referendum Bill and to forward this resolution to Mr. R. Scott, the member for the district. A reply to this has been received in which Mr. Scott says: While personally opposed to Bible-reading in our schools, I am in favor of a plebiscite being taken on the subject.’ In reply to this communication the secretary further wrote Mr. Scott requesting a definite answer as to his intention in respect to the Bill, and pointed out the inconsistency of his position. It was, also urged upon him to oppose the Bill in the interests of the minority, who could not conscientiously accept the League’s 'proposals.