N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 30 May 1918, Page 22

N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

The Dominion Executive of the Catholic Federation met at St. Patrick’s Hall on last Wednesday'evening, Mr. J. J. L. Burke presiding (writes our Wellington correspondent, under date May 25). 'A large amount of routine business was transacted, and arrangements advanced to endeavor to make Federation Sunday, the first Sunday in July, a memorable day in the history of the Federation by enrolling every Catholic in the Dominion. There is an urgent need at the present time for Catholics to unite and stand shoulder to shoulder, 'and the only way to do this is by joining the ranks of the Federation. The subscription is only nominal— one shilling per annum for adults and sixpence for children, —and is thus within the means of every Catholic, no matter how poor. This sum is necessary for organisation expenses, and office management, and even out of that modest amount it is proposed to set aside twopence-halfpenny per member for the Federation Scholarship Fund, details of which were published in the last issue of the Tablet. The attitude of the Teachers’ Educational Institute on denominational grants was the subject of some discussion. This body has been at considerable pains to criticise the policy of the Government in regard to grants to denominational schools. No body of public servants has the right to dictate to its employer on policy matters, and the object of the Union of Teachers is to safeguard the teaching service in respect to salaries and conditions of employment. Not only has the Teachers’ Institute passed resolutions, but it is endeavoring to induce other associations of public servants to go and do likewise. This matter the Federation has taken up, and it is probable that (he correspondence on the subject will be published later. The question of war bursaries was discussed, and postponed for further consideration at the next meeting.