N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 4 July 1918, Page 34

N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

WELLINGTON DIOCESAN COUNCIL.

Following is the half-yearly report of the .Executive Committee of the Wellington Diocesan Council, N.Z. Catholic Federation, for the period ending June 30, 1918, to be presented at the annual meeting of the council, to be held on Thursday, July 11 : During the financial year, which ended on that date, the monthly metings have been held without intermission, and have been fully attended; and the utmost consideration has been given to every matter of importance coming before the executive. The events of the first half-year were fully recorded in the report presented at" the meeting of the council held at Wanganui in January last, and need not be referred to here, further than to state the result of the resolutions passed thereat. Dominion Council Bulletin.—Of these resolutions, that having reference to the issue of a monthly Bulletin by the head office, was placed before the Dominion Council, and by it referred to the Dominio l Executive for action. In view of the resignation of the general secretary the Dominion Executive decided to suspend the issue of the Bulletin pending the appointment of a suitable man to the office named. War Films.—With reference to the allocation of the profits of the Government War Films exhibited throughout the Dominion, the result sent forward by your council was adopted by the Dominion Council, and application was made to the Internal Affairs Department accordingly for a statement showing the amount due to each district on this account: but in spite of repeated applications, this information has not yet been furnished by the Department. Election of Officers of Dominion Council.— The remit from your council claiming the right of Diocesan Councils to nominate the president and vicepresident of the Dominion Council, was passed by that body with the amendment that nominations may be received at the meeting. This matter will therefore require attention at the meeting of the Diocesan Council. The other resolutions of the Dominion Council were fully reported to parish committees by means of the Monthly Bulletin. Organising Visits. During the past half-year, organising visits have been paid to Palmerstou and New Plymouth, with good results in each case. The executive regrets that, owing to the difficulties attending absence from Wellington, it has been found impossible to visit other centres from which invitations have been received : but this matter will not be lost sight of when opportunity offers. Diocesan Bulletin.—The Monthly Bulletin has now reached its 21st issue, and the executive appreciates the many references made to its value. The necessity of holding regular monthly meetings, and of reading the Bullet in thereat, is once more emphasised, as it affords the principal means by which committees may be kept informed upon current events of interest. Membership.—Your executive regitets that the good record established last year has not been maintained, and that the returns for the past year show a slight decrease in the amount received by way of contributions. This is attributable in great part to the fact that in some of the larger parishes, the returns show a very serious decrease ; and had it not been for the energy displayed by the country districts, the deficit would have been very much more serious. The calling up of the Second Division for military service has removed many earnest and faithful workers in the cause of the Federation ; and this has, no doubt, been reflected in the decreased returns received from some parishes. At no previous period did a greater necessity exist for Catholic people to stand firmly together in opposition to those who are apparently determined by

any means to place obstacles in the way of the higher education of our Catholic youth, and to prevent access to State employment in the higher . grades to those who differ from them concerning religion. The virulence of the anti-Catholic campaign in this Dominion during the past year has been unequalled in any previous period, and any Catholic worthy of the "name should resent it in the most practical manner by enrolling in the Federation, and by forwarding its interests in every possible way, and' by so doing strengthen the foundations of that Christian Faith which alone can save the world. Federation Scholarships.—Careful attention has been given to the question of establishing scholarships at the Catholic secondary schools. The financial proposals submitted by the Auckland Diocesan Council have been taken as the basis of the scheme; and they provide that of each shilling paid as subscription to the Federation, Ad be devoted to this purpose, thus showing a practical interest in the work of providing opportunities for the advancement in life of our Catholic lads. The full scheme has been submitted to parish committees, and will be placed before the council for consideration ; but the executive cannot too strongly urge upon committees the fact that the entire success of the scholarships scheme depends upon a very substantial increase in the membership. Field Service Fund.—Your executive records its thanks to all who have in any way assisted the Field Service Fund during the past year. The chaplains on active service in all quarters have been supplied with the necessary funds : and the camp institutes here in New Zealand have been maintained and supplied with the requisite stationery, pious objects, games, etc., while the chaplains on the hospital ships and the transports proceeding to Europe have had their requirements met. Authority has been given for the erection of an institute at Tauherenikau camp, which is an urgent necessity to the chaplain and to the men during the first few weeks of military life. The executive begs that committees will not relax their efforts on. behalf of the Field Service Fund. Every penny subscribed is paid in by the Diocesan Council, without deduction for expenses of any kind ; and the urgent needs of the brave men who are fighting to defend our liberty should appeal to all. Conclusion.—ln retiring from office, your executive looks back upon a useful year of work, much of which—such, for instance, as the scholarships scheme —required and received the earnest, attention of every member ; and it trusts that the incoming executive will devise some means, if possible, of bringing the claims of the Federation home to every earnest and sincere Catholic in.the archdiocese.