CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 2 November 1916, Page 27

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

DOMINION EXECUTIVE. (From our own correspondent.) The Dominion Executive met last Wednesday evening. Mr. J. J. L. Burke presided, and the following members were present— Father Smyth, S.M., Adm., and Messrs. Corry, - Nolan, Sievers, McGowan, Reeves, and Hoskins. Details of the Field Service Fund inaugurated some twelve months ago for the purpose of supplying Catholic chaplains at the front with funds for providing comforts for the men under their charge were laid before the meeting. The project was started with and has since received the full approval and sympathy of the hierarchy, and has met with a generous response from the various parishes throughout New Zealand. The Dominion Executive has now decided to remit the sum of £l5O to Chaplain-Captain McMenamin, senior Catholic chaplain of the New Zealand Forces, in London, as the nucleus of a fund for disbursement among his colleagues on the various fronts that sum will be augmented by instalments as contributions come along. Already most encouraging activities have been exhibited in Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, and Manawatu in the forwarding of the scheme. Marlborough has been particularly successful, having remitted £IOO ; and it is anticipated that the dioceses of Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin will substantially supplement the fund. It is of interest to note that the fund is being administered by the Federation practically free of cost. It was decided to also remit to the Rev. ChaplainCantain McDonald, S.M., £25 for use in Egypt. The Very Rev. Father Roche, C.SS.R. (president of St. Gerard’s branch), the author of the article recently published in the Tablet, was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, and it was decided to get it printed in pamphlet form for distribution. It was also decided to seek the co-operation of each of the diocesan councils in the matter of sharing the cost and the proper distribution. ' The following letter from the Apostolic Delegate (Archbishop Cerretti) covering a letter from his Eminence Cardinal Gasparri, Secretary of State to his Holiness Benedict XV., conveying the Apostolic Benediction to the New Zealand Catholic Federation, gave much gratification. It was decided to publish the same and send copies to the hierarchy, president, and diocesan councils: Apostolic Delegation, Australasia. 40 Edward Street, North Sydney, N.S.W., October 18, 1916. My dear Mr. Girling-Butcher,—T enclose a letter, addressed to the Catholic Federation of New Zealand, which I have just received from his Eminence Cardinal Gasparri, Secretary of State. lam sure it will bring great consolation to the members throughout the Dominion, and at the same time encourage them to work for the greater success of the Federation. With every kind wish, I remain, my dear Mr. Girling-Butcher, Yours sincerely in Christ, ❖ B. Cerretti, Archbishop of Corinth. Apostolic Delegate. Mr. Geo. Girling-Butcher, Secretary and Organiser, N.Z. Catholic Federation.

(Translation, kindly furnished by his Grace Archbishop Redwood, S.M.) Office of the Secretary of State, The Vatican, August 26, 191.6. Most Honored Sir,-—-The information that has reached the Holy Father regarding the Catholic Federation of New Zealand is of such ' a nature that it has won, with the liveliest interest and pleasure, the attention of his Holiness to that young and really useful institution destined to gather up and discipline all the Catholic forces of New Zealand, under the direction of the episcopate. The extraordinary activity displayed by its directors and its members, the numerous ramifications by which it has enlarged and is still enlarging its field of action, and, above all, the most consoling results obtained for the development of the Catholic religion in that country, while they afford the deepest satisfaction to the common Father of the Faithful, open also his heart to the most legitimate hopes for the future. Wherefore, fully appreciating the Christian value of this well-deserving Federation, his Holiness has much joy in extending to all the members, and in a particular manner to the directive council, his highest praise and his paternal encouragement. And while his Holiness has good reason to expect great assistance from the hierarchy and clergy in that new land, he most heartily imparts to the work itself, to the persons directing it, and to all its members the Apostolic Blessing. * Kindly accept, most honored sir, the expression of the respectful regard, With which I sign myself, Your devoted servant, B. Card. Gasparri. Mr. George Girling-Butcher, Wellington, N.Z. With reference to the attention drawn by the Catholic Federation to the funds of the National Service League being devoted to the establishment of Salvation Army orphanages, the organiser (Mr. F. Norris) waited upon the vice-chairman (Mr. Burke) and the hon. secretary (Mr. Hoskins), of the Catholic Education Board, and explained the laudable objects of the league, but never mentioned the disposal of the funds. As a letter of introduction was furnished Mr. Norris, he was written to on the fact becoming known that the funds were for the purpose stated. The following correspondence speaks for itself : Wellington, October 13, 1916. F. Norris, Esq., Hon. Organiser, National Service League, Y.M.C.A., Wellington. Sir,With reference to the letters of introduction which I posted you this week, I learn from a pamphlet which you left at our Catholic Federation office that the profits derived from the National Service League’s organising campaign are to be devoted to the establishment of a Salvation Army orphanage for the children of New Zealand soldiers who have made the major sacrifice. As Catholics we could not in conscience permit the children of Catholic soldiers being placed in a Salvation Army orphanage. We have our own Catholic orphanages to which we would send our children in such cases, consequently it is unfair to enlist the sympathies of our people in a scheme which has for its object the assistance of a denominational institution such as the Salvation Army orphanage. Under the circumstances, therefore, I respectfully request that you will return to me the letters of introduction which I sent you—letters which would not have been given had I known the true facts of the case. Yours faithfully, P. D. Hoskins, Hon. Secretary, Catholic Education Board,

Wellington, October, 13, 1916. P. D. Hoskins, Esq., Secretary Catholic Educational Board. Bear Sir, —I have just received your letter. The pamphlet you refer to was printed last January, and we soon recognised our error, and in every place we ask for membership we have asked to send the profits to their own orphanage, or the Red Cross, or Tobacco Fund, and we have since then never asked for membership in the Catholic schools, and only in the higher we have requested them to take a few of our cards at cost, price Id each. , We are particularly anxious not to connect our league with any sect or party, and only speak by direct invitation to any religious body. In your higher schools I always ask that when your own orphanage fund conies round, for the very best to be done to help. Every orphanage will require help badly. I might say we are just considering to allow any school child to be a member of our league, at the cost of our badge, 3d. Our work is entirely a work of impression. I tried at St. Patrick's College, to see what patriotic fund was the most popular, with your boys and girls, but it seems all are on a level. Ido not lose sight of the fact that you have no State aid, and for that reason alone I have always made a practice of asking nothing toj,ielp our cause. At Masterton the other week 1 brought before a member of your Church the words in the pamphlet referred to, and said it was not fair to even leave them at your schools, and his reply was; You show Mr. Butcher, when in Wellington, and yon will find that will make no difference at all to their circulation.' Our rules state that until the end of 1916 3d at least '■ c our membership, when no allowance is made, is to be devoted to the funds for the homes you referred to, but for months past we have left it to the decision of any head master in the State schools. 1 will call in to-morrow (Saturday) morning, and think my explanation is clear. Yours faithfully, F. Nonius, lion. Organiser. CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN COUNCIL. (From our own correspondent.) A special meeting of the Diocesan Executive was held in the Federation rooms, Wiltshire Buildings, on October, 24, to consider further arrangements in connection with the coming congress. 11 is Lordship the Bishop presided and various reports were received and discussed. A position was allotted the 300 children taking part in the choral items, and it was decided to arrange for an orchestra. The secretary reported that circular letters and invitations had been sent to all the parish priests, the Hibernian branches and Federation branches throughout the diocese, and to all the city societies and clubs. The official invitation to Cabinet Ministers, M.P.’s, mayors, etc., would be sent out later. The chairman produced a copy of the programme, which was approved, and it was ordered to be printed and distributed throughout the diocese, and also published in the Tablet. MON SIGNOR GILL AN ON TOUR. Last Wednesday and Thursday evenings an official visit was paid by Monsignor Gillan to the branches of the Catholic Federation at Paeroa and Karangahake (says the Ohinemnri Gazette of October 27). The lecturer traced the history of the Federation from its formation in the cities, towns, and settlements, some three years ago, and referred to the splendid results achieved in matters social and educational. The Federation was now entering on a forward movement. Steps were being taken all over the Dominion to enrol every Catholic in the rqnks of the Federation. He condemned in strongest terms the manner in which the Minister of Education (Hon. Mr. Hanan) treated the members of the New Zealand Catholic Federation Exe-

cutive, who recently approached him for the purpose of obtaining copies of the School Journal for Catholic schools, also medical examination of pupils attending all Catholic schools. After the lecture the following resolution was proposed and unanimously carried at Paeroa meeting, and on the following evening at Klarangahake, where an enthusiastic vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer —‘ That this meeting of the Catholics of Paeroa protest against the way the National Government is treating the Catholic schools, and its refusal through the Minister of Education (Hon. Mr. Hanan) of the concessions asked for by the representatives of the Catholic Federation in Wellington. They recognise that they are taxpayers of the country, and they resolve with their fellow-religionists in New Zealand to demand from their Parliamentary representatives consideration of their just claims and redress of their grievances.’ . The lecturer then went over ground already covered by him in former addresses. •• "