CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 27 January 1916, Page 39

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

WELLINGTON DIOCESAN COUNCIL. (From our own correspondent.) The sixth half-yearly meeting of the diocesan council was held at St. Patrick's Hall, Boulcott street, Mr. J. Duggan in the chair, and the following representatives were present: —Blenheim, Rev. Father Fay and Miss Keating; Dannevirke, Rev. Father Bowe and Mr. J. Gildea; Feilding, Rev. Father O'Dwyer and Mr. J. P. Kavanagh; Hastings, Rev. Father G. Mahoney ; Hawera, Very Rev. Dean Power and Mr. E. Gallagher; Eltham, Mr. E. Kilbride; Kaikoura, Mr. J. Duggan; Marton, Rev. Father Doolagkty; Masterton, Right Rev. Mgr. McKenna and Mr E. O'Leary; Eketahuna, Mr. Jas. Dwyer, Mr. O'Donnell; Hamua, Mrs. A. Fouhy; New Plymouth, Rev. Fathers Moore and Kelly; Napier, Major Halpin; Otaki, Rev. Father Maillard; Levin, Mr. and Mrs. McLeavey; Pahiatufi, Rev. Father T. McKenna, Mr. E. Finch; Palmerston, Rev. Father Forrestal, Mr. P. P. Power; Wanganui, Very Rev. Dean Holley, Rev. Father S. Mahoney, Mr. W. M. Luxford; St. Anne's, Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, •Miss A. Segrief, Mr. T. J. McCosker; St. Gerard's, Mr. J. A. Corry; St. Mary's, Very Rev. Father . O'Connell, Major Halpin, Mr. H. McKeown; St. Joseph's, Mr. W. Gamble, Miss A. Wheeler; Thorndon, Mr. R. Sievers, Mr. M. Walsh; Woodville, Mr. J. M. O'Hagan, Mr. P. Martin; Wairoa, Mr. F. J. O'Driscoll; Catholic Immigration Committee, Mrs. Cornish. Mr. B. Ellis (treasurer), Mr. J. J. L. Burke (chairman Dominion Executive), and Messrs Hoskins and Reichel were also present. His Grace Archbishop O'Shea, the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, and the chairman of the council (Rev. Father Hurley) wrote regretting that official business prevented their attendance, and wished the council a successful meeting. The Very Rev. Father Roche also expressed regret that he was unable to attend.

The chairman welcomed the delegates, and explained that the meeting was held in Wellington instead of Palmerston North, as originally intended, on account of the visit of his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate. He thanked the Palmerston committee on behalf of the council for the complete arrangements made for the meeting, and promised that the claim of that committee to the first meeting held outside of Wellington would be kept in mind. He stated that the Federation in the archdiocese had made great progress during the past term, the membership showing an increase of 951 over the number enrolled for the previous period. He was exceedingly gratified to find that the financial position of the council was so good, and paid a tribute to the work of the secretary, Mr. W. F. Johnson. The report and statement of accounts were adopted. The latter showed that the archdiocese had passed all previous records in the way of contributions to the Dominion Council, and that of the total amount subscribed to the Trentham building fund, the Wellington council had contributed more than half. The report of the Immigration Committee was read and adopted; also the report of the Women's Hostel Board. Satisfaction was expressed at the fact that the hostel was recognised by the Immigration Department, and that it was so much appreciated by the young women for whose benefit it was instituted. The following resolutions were agreed to, and were to be sent to the Dominion Executive for consideration : 1. ' That rule 8, section (b) be amended by deleting the words "and shall hold office respectively at the discretion of the Dominion Council," by inserting the following words'' Nominations for every office in the Dominion Council, and for the elected members of the Dominion Executive, shall be made in writing, signed by two members of the council, and shall bear the consent of the person nominated. Nomination papers shall be in the hands of the general secretary twentyone days before the date of the annual meeting, and the secretary shall cause a list of the persons so nomina-

ted to be posted to each member of the Dominion Council at least fourteen days before the meeting referred to. Should the number of persons so nominated be not sufficient to fill the offices required, nominations shall be received at the meeting." ' Mr. Johnson, in moving the resolution on behalf of the ~ executive committee, pointed out that the proposed change was the rule in every other organisation of this nature. It afforded members of the Dominion Council the opportunity to select the best men for the several offices, instead of leaving it to the meeting, where there was often a difficulty in inducing members to submit to nomination.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Luxford, and supported by the Right Rev. Mgr. McKenna, Very Rev. Dean Power, Mr. Walsh, and others, and was carried unanimously.

2. ' Life members of the Dominion Council may be elected at the annual meeting from persons who have been members of the council for not less than two years, provided that not more than one such member be elected in any one year. Nominations for life membership may be made at the annual meeting.' Mr. Johnson moved the resolution, and stated that there was a danger that men who had served the Federation faithfully and well on the Dominion Council, and whose experience might be invaluable, might be lost to the Council through no fault of their own. This resolution gave the Dominion Council power to retain the services of worthy men. Mr. Corry seconded the motion, which was strongly suported by Mr. Ellis, Major Halpin, and Mr. Luxford.

Mr. McCosker, while approving the principle of the resolution, was afraid that in time, the life-mem-bers would become sufficiently numerous to out-vote the elected representatives of the Diocesan Councils. He moved as an amendment' That the words "two" be struck out, and the word "five" inserted,' making the qualifying period five years. The amendment was accepted by the mover of the motion, and declared carried. Mr. Kavanagh then moved as a further amendment' That after the word "who," in the resolution, the following words be inserted —"being life members of the Federation." ' Mr. McCosker seconded the amendment. Mr. McKeown was opposed to both motion and amendment, as having a tendency to make the Dominion Council a conservative institution—life-mem-bership of the council was opposed to the democratic spirit of the age. • Mr. Duggan supported Mr. McKeown's contention.

Mr. Johnson, in reply, asked the council not to carry the amendment. If the original motion was not acceptable to the council, let it be defeated on its merits, and not by an amendment such as the one now proposed. On the question being put, the amendment was declared lost, and the original motion with the amendment already agreed to, declared carried.

REMITS FROM PARISH COMMITTEES. St. Joseph's, Wellington.— view of the quarterly meeting held at St. Joseph's parish, and with the object of bringing Federation matters more prominently before parishioners, the Dominion Council be asked to provide that all parish committees hold such meetings, when a review of the quarter's work be presented, and an address on some interesting subject be delivered.' Proposed by Mr. Gamble, and seconded by Miss Wheeler. Messrs. Walsh, Luxford, Major Halpin and others supported the motion, which was declared carried. Palmerston. —* That a paid organiser be appointed for the district.' As this, and the succeeding resolution dealt with the same subjects. Mr. Power asked leave to withdraw the resolution, in order to save the time of the council.. ;- : \.

Thorndon.—' That the work of organising the New Zealand Catholic Federation in future be done by the respective diocesan councils, the finances for the carrying out of this proposal to be provided by the Dominion Council.'". ;;' :/ ' v !£■ - ; T : " 1 '-.' .;£P ';.'.'.

Proposed by Mr. Walsh, and seconded by Mr. Kavanagh. Mr. Walsh considered that the time had arrived when ' diocesan councils should attend to their own organising work. He made a strong appeal to the council to put some life into the work. He considered that the most effective way would be for members of the diocesan executive, and of the parish committees to visit other districts, and all that was asked was that a refund of expenses incurred be authorised by the Dominion Council. Mr. Walsh considered that as the head office would be relieved of the work of organisation, it could well contribute to the expenses in the manner indicated. The membership of the Federation would be increased to such an extent that the whole time of the secretary would be required at the head office, as, indeed, it had been for the past six months.

Mr. Luxford stated that the motion opened up a large question, and that, in his opinion, the whole constitution of the Federation required revision. - Mr. Luxford proceeded to read an amendment to the motion, but the chairman ruled that it was irrelevant to the question, and therefore out of order.

Mr. Sievers stated that the Thorndon committee, in submitting this resolution, had only one object in view—to increase the interest of the people in the work of the Federation. Mr. Sievers read statistics of the adult Catholic population of the Dominion, and the membership of the Federation, showing that there was a large field yet untouched. It was impossible for any one man, however capable, to attend to the work for the whole of the Dominion, while attending to the secretarial duties of the head office.

Mr. Johnson supported the motion for reasons given by previous speakers, and pointed out that 'this proposal would enable the Federation to make use of the capable men and women in the several districts who would otherwise have no opportunity. Many a good man was lost for want of opportunity, and the motion provided a means whereby speakers could be trained to Federation work.

Mr. Ellis was at first inclined to doubt the wisdom of the motion, but after hearing the argument of the previous speakers, he was convinced of the merits of the case, and gave it his entire support. Other members having spoken, Mr. Walsh, in reply, thanked the council for the reception it had given to the motion. The question was put, and declared carried unanimously. St. Mary's, Wellington.— k That in order to provide the necessary facilities for our men in the various military camps to attend to their religious duties, and also to afford them a place of meeting, this committee is of opinion that the Executive of the Federation should take this matter in hand at once, and organise something in the direction indicated. This committee suggests as a means of providing the necessary funds that each diocesan council make a half-yearly grant towards this object, and also that a small levy be made on every parish committee in proportion to its numerical strength. "•- , Major Halpin, in moving this resolution, said that it was imperative that something should be done immediately towards the erection of a church-hall at Featherston camp. Mr. Kavanagh seconded the resolution, and suggested the immediate issue of a circular to parish committees inviting subscriptions. Mr. Sievers stated that the matter was already under consideration by the hierarchy and the Dominion Executive, and that it would be better to wait until it was finally dealt with. Mr. Ellis was of the same opinion, and stated that the Dominion Executive had been informed that the administration of the fund for the erection of the hall, and the control of the institute had been placed in the hands of the chaplain to the camp. • ■'-'*■

Mr. Burke (chairman of the Dominion Executive) stated that the -hierarchy had authorised a collection for the purpose in each diocese, and that the Archbishop was to be asked to appoint the camp 'chaplain sole trustee for the fund. .. •

After some further discussion, the motion was carried with the addition that it be referred to the Dominion Council. Wanganui.—' In connection with the proposed Roll of .Honor for the Dominion, we consider that as the records of religions are only kept in Wellington, the procuring of a full list be left in the hands of the Dominion Council.'

Mr. Luxford, in moving this resolution, said that there was a difficulty in procuring the record of religion of the troops at places other than Wellington. Mr. Kavanagh agreed, and said that a parish roll was a difficult matter to obtain. The chairman stated that the reason for compiling a parish roll was that each parish should honor and respect the memory of those who* had gone from the parish, and had given their lives and their services. After considerable discussion, in which Major Halpin, Mr. McKeown, Mr. Cassie, Mr. Burke, and Mr. McCosker and others took part, the motion was agreed to.

Wairoa.—' That it would be in the interests of the Federation, if members would endeavor to become members of committees for the care of wounded soldiers.'

Carried unanimously, without discussion. An interesting paper by Mrs. M. C. Goulter on ' The Federation and Politics ' was read, but owing to the late hour there was no discussion. It was resolved, on the motion of the chairman, that Mrs. Goulter be thanked for her excellent paper. It was resolved, on the motion of Major Halpin—- ' That the thanks of the council be accorded to Mr. W. F. Johnson- for his services as secretary, and that the sum of £l2 12s be granted by way of honorarium to him.'

Votes of thanks to the ladies of the council for their attendance, and to the chairman concluded the business, and the council adjourned at 9.20 p.m. VISIT OF THE APOSTOLIC DELEGATE. His Excellency the Apostolic Delegate paid a visit to the diocesan council meeting during the afternoon, attended by his Grace Archbishop Redwood, their Lordships Bishop Verdon and Bishop Cleary, Very Rev. Dean Regnault, and members of the clergy. Mr. Duggan welcomed his Excellency on behalf of the council, and in a few words expressed the gratitude of the members to his Excellency for sparing a few moments of his time to meet the council. Mr. Duggan informed his Excellency of the representative character of the council and of its work, and assured his Excellency of the unfailing loyalty of the Federation to the Holy Father and to his representative. His Excellency said he was pleased to meet the members of the council, and gave the work of the Federation his blessing. Since his arrival in Australasia, he had taken the greatest interest in its work. He urged the members to bind themselves closely to the work of the Federation, and was sure that good results would follow their efforts, if their proposals had the approbation of their ecclesiastical superiors. He prayed God's blessing on the work of the Federation, and at the request of the chairman, his Excellency was pleased to bestow the Apostolic Blessing on the members present. Bishop Cleary briefly thanked the council for its sympathy with himself during his long illness, and wished its deliberations every success.

MILITARY AFFAIRS. In reply to a question as to the proportion of Catholic chaplains with the Expeditionary Forces, the Right Rev. Mgr. McKenna, V.G., stated that there

was an impression abroad that the Church was 'not receiving the consideration to which it was entitled in this matter, but that was not correct. Chaplains were appointed to the force on the basis of one • of each religion to every thousand men of that persuasion, and that the Church had its full share of chaplains now on service. Statements had been made that the camp at Tauherenikau had not been attended to, but that was not in accordance with the facts. Mass had been celebrated there every Sunday since the establishment of the camp. He said he was pleased that the erection of the hall was to be proceeded with almost immediately, and stated that the hall at Trentham was now too small to accommodate the increased number now in camp.

Rev. Father Segrief spoke interestingly of the work of the chaplain at Samoa, and on the hospital ship Maheno, and referred in glowing terms to , the work of the Rev. Fathers McMenamin and Dore at Gallipoli. He stated that the work of these two chaplains was the admiration of all on the Peninsula, and trusted that both chaplains would soon be restored to health. Father Segrief made a strong appeal for the erection of the hall at the Featherston camp, where he had been appointed chaplain, and concluded an interesting address by thanking the Federation for the assistance it had given him while on active service.