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New Zealand Tablet, 19 September 1918, Page 42

CATHOLIC TRIUMPH IN HOLLAND. The Catholics have been the principal victors at the Dutch general elections, having secured the representation of thirty seats instead of twenty-five (states the London Catholic Time.*). The progress of the Church in Holland is one of the most encouraging signs of the fruits of Catholic activity on the Continent. At the so-called Reformation she appeared to be utterly crushed in the country. After the abolition of Spanish authority iti 1648 the Dutch Catholics suffered under the most cruel persecution. William of Orange published edicts suspending Catholic worship.'" The Dutch Calvinists were fiercely hoistile. Two of William’s officers (Sonoy and Van der March) put to death all the priests and religious on whom they could lay hands. The soldiers imitated the officers. Even in the Dutch Colonies the Catholics were persecuted. The life of the Catholics in Holland was much the same as that of their co-religionists in Great Britain and Ireland during the penal days. But a wonderful change has taken place amongst the Dutch. All denominations are free, and the Catholics in their advance have outstripped the others. For a considerable number of years they have been a power in the State. To a large extent their representatives in the legislature have cooperated with the Protestants for, the attainment of Christian ideals in social movements.