COMMONWEALTH NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 11 March 1920, Page 31

COMMONWEALTH NOTES

VICTORIA. It is anticipated that his Grace the Archbishop will leave on an extended visit to Europe, via America, from Sydney by tho Ventura on May 19. In all probability his Grace will be absent from Australia for about 12 months. Dr. Mannix's fame has, of course, long since reached America, and strong efforts have been made from the United States to induce his Grace to give addresses in various cities during his presence in the States. After leaving America, his Grace will journey to Rome to pay his first ad limina visit to the Holy See. He will subsequently proceed to Ireland.

At a numerously attended gathering recently his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne (the Most Rev. Dr. Mannix), who was enthusiastically received, delivered the following opening address:—Now, before I say anything in regard to the subject matter of this meeting, I wish to refer for one moment to something which really has no connection with this meeting. We have been hearing a great deal recently about the right of the Irish people to take part in a. certain celebration in Melbourne. Now, 1 am not going to say one word to add to the controversy, which has been conducted, if I may say so, by one side. But 1 think that a cablegram which I hold in my hand, by way of contrast, throws a great deal of light upon the attitude taken by certain people in the city of Melbourne. The cablegram reached me to-day. It is addressed to Archbishop Mannix, Melbourne, and it comes from London, the heart of the British Empire. It comes also from an historic gathering in an historic hall. If you have been reading the papers recently yon will note that in the Albert Hall. London, there was a great meeting to support Ireland’s claim to absolute independence. Now. that meeting was held in the Albert Hall, within a stone’s throw of the British Houses of Parliament, and within earshot almost of the King’s Palace. It was presided over hv Air. Arthur Griffith, who is the A••ting-President of the Irish Republic. It was addressed by Air. McNeil, whose life, fortunately, was saved, though Im was at one time doomed to die as a felon. It was addressed also by a sister of the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, Lord French. At that meeting, and with that platform. Irish residents in England assembled. Tins is the message that, has come from them; “Irish residents in England to the number of 10.000, assembled in the Albert Hall, London, join their kinsfolk in America and in Australia in demanding Irish independence.” Now, these are the things that happen in London, within earshot of the British Houses of Parliament and the King's Palace. The people, in tens of thousands, not merely have* the rage to proclaim their principles, hut they proclaimed them without let mhindrance from anybody. Yet, while freedom was allowed to that vast audience in London, at the heart of the Empire, there are people here in Melbourne who would scarcely allow you or me to walk through Bourke Street. I am not going to make any comment whatever. Yon can draw your own conclusions and make your own comments.

Mr. T. M. •Burke, of Hawthorn, who recently purchased Studley Hall, Stud ley Park Road, Kew, from the State Government for £5600, lias presented the property to the Xavier College for use as a preparatory school in connection* with the college. The buildings, which will be slightly altered and renovated to accommodate about 100 boys, is within a comparatively short distance of Xavier College, in Barker's Road, and it will be opened as a preparatory school at the beginning of next term. Air. Burke, in making this munificent gift to Xavier, has realised a desire to substantially assist the college, in which his boys are students. The celebration of St. Patrick's Day in the year 1920 promises to be no ordinary celebration (says the Tribune editorially). For this we have largely to thank certain bigots who have given the occasion the widest advertisement and aroused widespread enthusiasm. For impudence, the demands of the bigots have no equal. Firstly, they asked that the procession be stopped. Then they demanded guarantees that no disloyal emblems be carried. This is impudence indeed from a section of the public that is easily the most disloyal in our midst. The entire trouble in Ireland to-day is due to the disloyalty of Carson and his followers, who arc yet armed to defeat by rebellion the coming into operation of an Act of Parliament actually on the Statute Book of the House of Commons. The Irish people at one time were prepared to rally to tho aid of the Empire, but tho disloyalty of Carson being more encouraged than their own peacefulness, the people wore goaded into fury at their betrayal. Amongst Carson's threats were those of inviting tho German Emperor, the

Father of Protestantism, to espouse the cause of Ulster. German guns were smuggled in and the infamous and notorious Lord French and other high officers of the Ulster Party threatened to lay down their commissions rather than suppress these would-be allies of Germany. .Local bigots sent their messages of allegiance to the Ulster rebels, - and spoke of forwarding funds to assist in the work of disloyalty against the King and the decrees ofS Parliament. The same impudent people are now. asking that Irishmen, in the celebration of their national festival, shall please them by giving written guarantees of loyalty. NEW SOUTH WALES. : . • •"* 1. The following circular letter has been issued by his Lordship Dr. Hayden, Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes : Bishop's House, Broken Hill, February 9, 1920. My dear Rev. Father,Please announce to the Sisters in your parish that the annual examination in Irish history will take place on the first Tuesday in December (7th), and in Christian doctrine and Bible history on the second Tuesday (14th). In Irish history tho subject matter will be from St. Patrick (page 66) to Henry VII. (page 183, Joyce's History); and in Christian doctrine the Catechism and the small Explanatory Catechism (second edition) from page 1 to page 58; in Bible history from page 1 to page 59, and from page 221 to page 283 (Schuster). The time for each subject, will be from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., and the prizes will be £5 and gold medal for first, £2 for second, £1 for third, and a book for fourth in each subject: In case that two or more are equal for any prize, lots will be drawn to decide the winner. I regret that the prizes are so small, but, as I have no special fund on which to draw for these examinations, this is a matter which for the present I cannot help. Later on I hope that these examinations will be held in all subjects taught in our schools, and that T will be able to offer more substantial prizes to our children. All competitors in these examinations must be under 15 years of age, and a certificate of birth mav lie demanded of any prize-winner. The Irish National Association held' a. very successful balf-vearly meeting in Sydney recently. An Irish Library has been established, and has been opened for the use of members. Several instructive lectures have been delivered to the association by prominent members of the Catholic priesthood. Father Forrest. M.S. 11., was advertised to deliver his lecture. '•lreland in Bondage," on the 16th ins:. TASMANIA. Lai robe gave a spirited welcome to .Archbishop Barry on his recent visit to the district. An address of welcome was presented, in reply to which his Grace delivered an eloquent patriotic address, which was listened to with dee--, interest. His Grace put, the Irish question clearly before his hearers, and all expressed th'dr pleasure' with the lucid statement of Ireland's claim. The Irish National Anthem, "God Save Ireland," was beautifully rendered bv four leading non-Catholics, the leader being a spirited Taenia nian lady. At Dcvonport his Grace was 'also warmly welcomed.