CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 15 March 1917, Page 31

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

AUCKLAND DIOCESAN COUNCIL. The usual monthly meeting of the Auckland Diocesan Executive of the Catholic Federation was held on Friday evening, March 2, when there were present Mr. A. Rose (president), Rev. Brother Calixtus, and Messrs. Temm. Dromgool, Bonner, and Fitzgerald (secretary). The secretary introduced a scheme for the efficient organisation of the executive, which jn'ovided for the setting up of special committees. The scheme was unanimously adopted, the committees and the personnel being:—Education committee—-Very Rev. Father Cahill, Rev. Father Murphy (president Auckland Diocesan Catholic Teachers' Institute), Rev. Brother Benignus (Director Sacred Heart College), Rev. Brother Calixtus (Principal Marist Brothers' School), and Mr. P. E. Dromgool. Social work commitMessrs. Temm, Bonner, Burns, and diocesan secretary. Organising committee— president, Messrs. Temm and Crane, and the secretary. Literature and vigilance committee —the following members of the executive to act in conjunction with those at present constituting that committee—Very Rev. Father Cahill, the president, and Mr. Dromgool. The social work committee was instructed to draw up suggestions for aiding the Catholic Field Service Fund, and to report within fourteen days. It was decided that the Social Study Guild set up from amongst the executive for the purpose of studying social science, should commence its studies immediately, and the secretary was instructed to procure the necessary books. The conduct of the Rev. Howard Elliott, at Hamilton, when a malicious attack was made upon Catholics and the Church, which provoked a hostile demonstration against that individual, was dealt with, and the executive determined that a firm stand should be taken against a repetition of these slanders. Consequently it was resolved to despatch to the Acting Prime Minister the following resolution: ' That the Auckland Diocesan Executive of the New Zealand Catholic Federation desires to bring to the notice of the Government the malicious activities of the Rev. Howard Elliott, as evidenced by the enclosed

newspaper cuttings, in stirring up religious strife throughout the country in such a manner as to seriously affect recruiting, and calls upon the Government to adopt prompt measures to suppress this fanatical propagandist.' Newspaper cuttings referred to were an account of the proceedings at Hamilton and the sub-leaders in the Auckland daily press. Likewise the following resolution was directed to be forwarded to the press : ' At the monthly meeting of the Auckland Diocesan Executive of the New Zealand Catholic Federation, held last Friday evening, March 2, the following resolution was unanimously adopted for publication in the press as an official pronouncement by the Catholics of the Auckland diocese:—"That this meeting of the Auckland Diocesan Executive of the New Zealand Catholic Federation records its emphatic protest at the inaction of the Government in permitting the Rev. Howard Elliott to travel the country, stirring up religious strife at a time when the united efforts of the community are required to combat a common enemy, such inaction being interpreted as gross ingratitude to a section of the community which is doing its full share in the present struggle. Further, the executive calls for immediate action by the authorities to suppress the activities of this unpatriotic fanatic, whose actions are assuredly seriously retarding recruiting and the consequent successful prosecution of New Zealand's share in the war." ' A resolution embodying these sentiments has been forwarded to the Acting Prime Minister.