CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 11 February 1915, Page 35

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

AUCKLAND DIOCESAN COUNCIL

(From our Hamilton correspondent.)

The half-yearly meeting of the Auckland Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation was held in St. Mary’s Clubrooms, Hamilton, on Wednesday afternoon, January 27. A brief address of welcome was delivered by the Very Rev. Dean Darby. A large number of delegates, both clerical and lay, from all parts of the diocese was present. The following is a list :— St. Patrick’s Cathedral parish, Right Rev. Mgr. Brodie, Messrs J. Grace and 11. Duflin : St. Benedict’s, Rev. Father Forde, Mr. J. Tracey, and Mis. Daley: Ponsonby, Mr. J P. M. Darby; Grey Lynn, Very Rev. Father Holbrook: Devon Mr. L. McCann: Parnell, Messrs. Edwards and McSweeney : Ellerslie, Messrs. Drnmm and McCarthy: Onehnnga, Mr. B. McLaughlin: Pukekohe, Mr. Hair; Ngaruawahia, Mr. M. McCarthy; Huntly, Mr. C. Laflerty (proxy) ; Dargaville, Mr. M. O’Leary; Hamilton, Very Rev. Dean Darby, Messrs F. J. Pryor and E. D. McGarriglc ; Rcmuer.a. Rev. Father Duffy ; Paeroa, Ven. Archdeacon Hackett : Waihi, Mr. A Lemon : Taumaranui, Rev. Father Finn; Tc Kuiti, Mr. Merlin; Tauranga, Rev. Father Kreymborg and Mr. N. McQuirk : Matamata, Mr. T. Dillon : Thames, Mr. J. M. Murphy. Several parish committees sent letters of apology and reports, but were not represented. The following officers of the Diocesan Executive were present: — Messrs. E. McLaughlin (president), J. P. Nerheny (vice-president), and F. G. J. Tenim (secretary). Mr. E. D. McGarrigle was appointed recording secretary for the meeting. A comprehensive report was submitted by the executive committee, which dealt with various phases of the work of the Federation. The report, which was adopted, was in part as follows:

Since the last meeting, branches of the Federation have been formed in Mamaku, Matamata, Whakatane, and Tauranga. Shortly after the first meeting of the committee, Mr. M. C. Tully resigned the office of assistant secretary. The vacancy lias not yet been filled. Owing .to this the Federation’s office has not been open during the day except for a brief period during the lunch-hour, when the secretary attends to receive correspondence, etc. The committee hopes that in time the funds of the council will permit of the appointment of a paid official to attend the office during business hours, and so have it as a quarter to which Catholics may apply for any information on Catholic matters. The committee would again draw the council’s attention to the generosity of Mr. Glceson in giving the office to the Federation rent free. During the half-year the Federation has been successful in providing employment for some of our Catholic people. Through the keeping of an accommodation register, our office has provided accommodation for Catholics coming to the city to the number of 13 cases, The committee has pleasure in reporting that the Catholic Immigration Committee for the port of Auckland is still doing good work, and again wishes to record its sincere appreciation

of the enthusiasm, energy, and'zeal displayed; in .this important matter by the Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan, of bt. Benedicts, who presides over the Immigration Committee, and Miss A. Lorrigan (secretary), and the other lady members of the committee. Shortly after the last meeting of the council, a new field of activity for the Federation was found, in the various concentration camps throughout the Dominion. At the instance of the Dominion Executive the committee circularised all branches in the diocese for financial assistance which resulted in the Federation being able to erect a large marquee at the Epsom camp for the use of the Catholic troops. Here Mass was celebrated on Sundays, and during the week the tent was used for social amuse-' 1 11011 1 - Writing tables and material were also supplied to the men for their use. Through the courtesy of Mr. I. Moore, a piano was lent to the Federation for the use of our men. Prior to their departure from Auckland, the Federation, with the assistance of St. Benedicts Catholic Club, provided a social evening for the Hoops in the ledcration s marquee, and this was much appreciated. The Federation had a large quantity of pi ay-ci-books, rosaries, and other aids to devotion placed at the disposal of the chaplain for distribution to the men before their departure for the front. Your committee also donated the sum of T2O towards the cost ol equipping the chaplains and providing them with a portable altar for the troopship. Needless to say our Catholic men were very grateful to the Federation for what was done for them. There is now established in Auckland in connection with the Diocesan Council, a literature committee under the presidency of the Rev Fat her Doyle, of Remuera; Miss M. C. Callan is secretary, and the other members are Right Rev, M<n*. Brodie Miss V. A. Jacobsen, M.A., and Messrs. & L. M ley and I. G. J. Temm. This'committee meets . monthly, and will give the question of the dissemination of Catholic, and the suppression of objectionable literal the correction of erroneous statements in regard to Catholic matters in the press, etc., its special attention. During the half-year the Federation was responsible for having removed from the shelves of a public library, a most objectionable publication from a Catholic point of view. . The committee would like this branch of the Federation to place on record its appreciation of the valiant fight fought by our esteemed Bishop, the Right Rev. Dr. Cleary, against the unjust proposals of the Bible-in-Schools League. The recent elections, in so far as this question is concerned, must be legatded us entirely satisfactory. We would here like to point out that while we have gained a victory over our opponents, we must not forget that the Federation has a lot to obtain yet before Catholics can be satisfied with the present educational system. The committee again draws the council’s attention to the fact that it is absolutely necessary that all parish cpminiltecs should put all their vigor into the matter of furthering the membership of the Federation. Generally speaking the Federation is steadily progressing, and h. is hoped that with the new year just commenced it will enjoy a period of further prosperity. The treasurer’s financial statement for the halfyear was presented and adopted. A large quantity of correspondence was received and dealt with. The delegates’ reports were read and discussed. Many were very encouraging; the general tenor of them was that good work had been done in the brief period of the Federation’s existence. Especially was this so in regard to the Bible-in-Schools League proposals, which were so ably opposed by his Lordship Bishop Cleary on behalf of the Catholics of the Dominion.

The various remits were next dealt with : that from Hamilton was of general interest, and was as follows; ‘ That a trust fund be created, to be known as the “Cleary Trust Fund,”, as outlined by the Very . Rev. Dean Darby' in his letter of November 8, 1914, and published in the X.Z. Tablet of December 17, 1914, and that a refund to the Right Rev. Dr. Cleary, Bishop of Auckland, of money out of pocket,, expended by him in the Bible-in-schools campaign, be a first charge.

against the capital funds of the "Cleary Trust Fund;”. ’ ; This was moved by the Very Rev. Dean Darby, and seconded by Mr. F. J. Pryor. ■ . % Dean Darby, in speaking to the motion, made a strong and convincing appeal for its adoption. V The object of the motion was to recoup. Bishop Cleary for his outlay, and to provide a fund for paying the travelling expenses of delegates to the Diocesan Council, so that every parish might be represented. The motion was agreed to unanimously. Dean Darby then announced that Hamilton had given a lead to the fund by a substantial contribution of £66 10s 3d.

The Dominion Council remits were next dealt with and keenly discussed.

Anti-Catholic literature ’came in for a large share of discussion. The Yen. Archdeacon Hackett spoke vigorously on this subject, and certain action was outlined in connection with the matter. It was pointed out that here was a useful sphere of action for the parish committees to lake up. In the general business section various suggestions were made to strengthen the hands of the Federation, extend its usefulness, and draw members together. Reasons were given for the necessity of such an organisation, especially in connection with the dissemination of Catholic literature as issued by the Catholic Truth Society.

The Council elected Very Rev. Dean Darby, to represent the diocese on the Dominion Council at Wellington, and especially to explain his scheme in connection with the Cleary Fund.

On the Council rising the delegates were entertained at supper by the local committee. After votes of thanks to the Council chairman, a successful and important gathering terminated with similar votes to the Hamilton and visiting delegates ; and all felt that the Federation had taken the right steps to pave the way to rapid progress and usefulness.

CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN COUNCIL

From our own correspondent.)

The executive committee of the Christchurch Diocesan Council met on last Wednesday evening in the Federation rooms, Wiltshire Buildings. The president (Mr W. Hayward, jun.) presided. A large amount of correspondence was read and reported on by the secretary as having been attended to.

The question of providing accommodation for the Catholic chaplain and Catholic men at the territorial camp at Orari received careful consideration, and measures were put in hand for the supply of all that may be necessary, an offer of generous co-operation being received from the Timaru branch, whilst local assistance was solicited from the Geraldine branch. Other matters of urgent importance to the Federation were fully discussed. it was reported that a full representation of the Diocesan Council would proceed to Wellington for the meeting of the Dominion Council on tho 24th inst.

The general secretary and organiser (Mr G. Girling-Butcher) arrived on Sunday on his way to the Pan-Catholic gathering at Riverton, and spent the afternoon with the local Diocesan Council secretary in tho interests of the Federation.

AUCKLAND DIOCESAN COUNCIL LITERATURE • v COMMITTEE.

(From an occasional correspondent.)

A meeting of the literature committee of the Auckland Diocesan Council was held on Wednesday, February 3. Tho Rev. Father Doyle occupied the chair, and there were also present Right Rev. Mgr. Brodie, Misses Jacobsen and Callan, and Messrs. Temm and O’Malley. The sub-committee set up for the purpose reported finding nothing in the Auckland daily papers to which exception could reasonably be taken from a Catholic point of view. Arrangements were made, through the generosity of some of the clergy and laity, to have several Catholic periodicals offered to the

Public 'Library, in addition .to those 'v already on its tables. It was resolved that the secretary be instructed to issue a circular, asking for donations of bpoks for the pi oposed Catholic reference library in ‘ the Federation office. It was also resolved that a complaint as to an objectionable book being on sale at the railway bookstall be investigated. The secretary was instructed to communicate with the English Catholic Truth Society, and ask that due notice should be given the committee of the publication of objectionable literature in England, in order that steps may be taken to have it refused admittance into libraries here. A sub committee consisting of the president and secretary was set up .to arrange for the insertion of suitable items of Catholic news in the daily papers from time to time.