COMMONWEALTH NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 5 June 1919, Page 30

COMMONWEALTH NOTES

■ - NEW SOUTH WALES, His Excellency the "Apostolic Delegate and the Archbishop of Sydney were received by his Excellency the State Governor at Government House on Tuesday, May 13. ; p.riiqlod M "v; dMTerrible .though the influenza scourge has ‘ proved, it has performed at least one good service to the community. It has separated the wheat from the chaff, so to speak (says the Catholic Press). Henceforth; we shah know and appraise at their true worth that type of citizens who monopolise the limelight in times of security, and flee like rats to their holes when occasions arise demanding practical proofs of courage and sincerity. Where, oh where, were the valiant V.A.D.’s when the call went forth for succor for the sick and dying? Where were the “FJag-Flappers” and the “High Society” dames when the alarming ravages of the plague prompted the Government to send forth “5.0.5.” calls on behalf of the sufferers whose numbers were so great that the available nursing and medical facilities were entirely inadequate. Like magic, the V.A.D.’s, the “Flag-Flappers,” and the “High Society” dames vanished in the mists of obscurity, and no longer were heard their voices in the land. It was then that our noble clergy and nuns once more proved to the world their magnificent courage and devotion to the cause of humanity. They did not hesitate for .one moment to encounter the deadly dangers of nursing the victims of the plague, and to bring the last sweet consolations of 1 religion to those who were fatally stricken. The influenza epidemic that has swept through New South Wales, causing so much misery and desolation, has at least proved the intense reality of religion. It has served to bring home with telling force to the minds of the multitude the great unselfishness and devotion of the priests and nuns of the community who have so valiantly refused to think of personal danger in the performance of their sacred duties. The community realises now' that the spirit actuating the nuns and priests in their noble actions during the influenza epidemic, emanated from the loftiest ideals and inspirations of true religion. It had for its object no earthly reward or recognition; but merely the alleviation of the sufferings of humanity. The Government of New South Wales has always been singularly prejudiced and unfair in its treatment of the Catholic clergy and nuns. But in the crisis which recently arose, the authorities found themselves wishing that the numbers of the clergy and nuns were far greater than they are at present, for in that event the epidemic could have been fought far more effectively. The .V.A.D.’s, the “Flag-Flappers,” and others of that kidney made a tremendous lot of noise, and attracted quite a lot of attention in times of security : but when the real menace arose, they cut a very sorry figure. They were like the little dog that barks so furiously at one from the safe . side of the fence; but, coming unexpectedly to the open gate, lowers its tail and scampers away to safety. : VICTORIA. While a guest of My. H. Armytage, of Mt, Sturgeon, his Excellency the Governor-General paid an unofficial visit to the Loreto Convent, Hamilton. He was accompanied by Mr. Harold Armytage, Senator Fairbairn, Messrs. Manifold, and White, M.L.C.’s, Mr. Slater, M.L.A., and the Mayor of Hamilton (Cr. McCluckie). The visitors were received by Right Rev. Mgr. Shanahan, the Reverend Mother and Community, and some representatives of the Catholic laity of Hamilton. His Excellency visited the children of both high and primary schools, and spoke for a short time in each school. He paid a. tribute to the great work being done by the nuns in Australia. He had once been privileged he said, to be present when his Holiness Pope Pius X. raised some archbishops to the dignity of Princes of the Church in that most wonderful chapel in the world—the Sistine. It was one ’of. the most impressive sights

he had ever seen. His Excellency told the children they hope in their faces the hall-mark of good homes. He congratulated them on their good manners, pointing out that just because Australia was a democratic country they had the greater need of care in that respect. France, he told them, was the -most-democratic of all countries, and its peopleTi ad the -finest’ manners in the world. Most of the gentlemen who accompanied him also spoke a few words, one of them remarking it would be a bad ; day; for Australia 5 if religion' were eliminated , from the schools. '* The children sang ■ for * the visitors,' and both they and their teachers were highly complimented by his Excellency. Before his departure he again commented on the splendid training which the children showed. ■* ' i;!i> 1 ; * ; The second anniversary Requiem for the repose of 1 the soul of the late Most Rev. Dr. Carr, Archbishop of Melbourne, was celebrated on Tuesday morning, May' 6, in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The Solemn Office began at 10.30 o’clock. There was a large congregation, including the various Sisterhoods and their pupils and representatives of organisations connected with the Church. A catafalque had been placed in the chancel, 7 on which was the insignia of the episcopal office. His Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne, the Most Rev. Dr. Mannix, presided at the throne, and was attended by the Very Rev. Dean Hegarty, P.P., V.F., and the Very Rev. Dean Rooney, P.P. His Lordship the Bishop of Sandhurst, the Most Rev. Dr. McCarthy, occupied a seat on the episcopal side of the sanctuary. At the conclusion of the Solemn Office Pontifical Requiem Mass was celebrated by the Bishop of Sandhurst; assistant priest, Dean Carey; deacon, Rev. J. Toomey ; sub-deacon. Rev. A, J. Martin ; master of ceremonies. Rev. P. O’Brien. The Final Absolution at the catafalque was pronounced by the Bishop of Sandhurst. Members of the clergy were present in very large numbers. QUEENSLAND. To aid in staying the ravages of pneumonic influenza which has now attacked Queensland, St. Laurence’s School, South Brisbane, and the residence of the Christian Brothers there have been placed at the disposal of the health authorities (says the , Catholic. Advocate). These will be used as headquarters for nurses, and will be utilised for patients if necessary. In the meantime, the Christian Brothers at South Brisbane will take up residence at Gregory Terrace or at Nudgee College. Already an enormous strain has been thrown on the staff of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital by the reception of outdoor patients from the General Hospital, and in order to cope with the greatly increased work thus involved, voluntary offers of assistance from several .ladies have been received and accepted. This is a pleasing contrast to what took place in Sydney. During the war (says the Federal Independent) Sydney ladies went absolutely off their pretty heads in their eagerness to knit socks (even in church) and other modes of patriotic activity. To-day urgent appeals are being made to those same patriotic ladies to give help at some of the plague depots, and assist in furnishing clothing to the poor of Surry Hills and elsewhere—but the appeals fall on deaf ears. The plague is the result of the war, but it’s one thing to work for something 12,000 miles away and be in the limelight, and quit-© another to help people dying at your doors. What a shoddy thing is patriotism ! Who called it the refuge of the scoundrel? v.-. .V- -