Commonwealth Notes

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLIX, Issue 42, 26 October 1922, Page 35

Commonwealth Notes

§)'7Jy NEW SOUTH WALES. ' • , Speaking recently at the blessing of the new churchschool at Kandos, N.S.W., his Lordship Bishop O’Farrell, said that, while the Minister for Education had no love for him, he was in accord with him regarding the reimposition of high school charges. The bursary system, he said, could be applied to brilliant children of the poor, and not used indiscriminately as now. . Two out of three pupils at the University, were receiving their education under the exhibition system, which meant free education. Much rather would he see them paying their way, as they were merely going to swell the already overcrowded professions of law and medicine. If their course enabled them to return to the land, it would be a different proposition, as the land was the real wealth producer. Referring to the custom of saluting the Union Jack, the Bishop said that that flag stood for the ostracism of the Catholic school, but in Britain the Union Jack stood for the liberty of the Catholic schools. On Thursday, 17th ult., Wentworth was honored : with a visit from his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne. In company with his Lordship Dr. Hayden, Very Rev. Dean Carey, and Right Rev.; Monsignor Killian, V.G., his Grace left Broken Hill the previous day. The party spent the night at Netly station, where they were most ■ hospitably entertained by Mr. John Dunne. Addressing a large assemblage at Wentworth, Dr. Mannix in the course of his remarks, said that those that were dealing with the populating of Australia were beginning at the wrong end, and if they continued on the lines they were now following, the Australian standard of living would be pulled down, and unemployment increased. One peculiar phase was that a number of good Australians were seeking work, and unable to find it, while the immigrant could go straight to a job. This state of affairs was accounted for by the bad government of the country. Instead of having the land prepared for the settler before he came, they were bringing him first, and thus increasing the ranks of the unemployment. Dr. Mannix said he would admit that no country was in greater need of population than Australia. The lame excuse had been advanced that it was physically impossible to settle Australians on the land. One reason . was that it would cost too much, yet they were bringing the immigrant, and could afford to do that. This was making Australia the poorer instead of the richer, as ,it would be by settling the land with its own people. When this thing had been put right, then bring the immigrant, and not before. Since the war certain countries had a surplus population of failures to get rid of, and these failures were being brought to Australia. Dr. Mannix said that during the war the cry had been raised that Australia would be made a fit place for heroes to live' in, but the returned men were not getting treatment worthy of heroes. He had been denounced during the war as a traitor, because he had asserted that the war was a trade war. What do we find now? he asked. We had given the enemy a knock-out blow, and were also knocked out ourselves. Mr. Lloyd George had won the last British" elections by the pledge that England would exact the . last shilling of reparation from Germany. Now the same man was saying that Germany should not be pressed for her war debts. What he (Dr. Mannix) had been denounced for, they were now proving by their attitude in regard to war debts. \ WWW . VICTORIA. The 50th anniversary of the dedication of St. Finbar’s, u Brighton—synchronising with the diamond jubilee of the ' parish —was celebrated with fitting solemnity on a recent Sunday. Great interest was manifested on the : occasion, not only by the present parishioners, but also by. • many others for whom , the old church has tender and venerable associations. The spacious grounds, looking their best in the genial warmth of a spring morning, contained ~ such an assemblage of motor-cars, buggies, gigs, and other kinds of vehicles that several passers-by along the Nepean Road stopped to inquire the cause. (For once the church ' itself was unable to accommodate the large congregation. , :■ The other Sunday Right Rev. Dr. Foley visited Dungaree

for the purpose of blessing and laying the foundation-stone; of a new convent intended for a community of Presentation Sisters, who will from the beginning of. next year • have charge of the parish schools.. The function of blessing the stone took place before Mass, which was celebrated by.the parish priest, Father Mulcahy, the Bishop being present in the sanctuary. After Mass his Lordship preached to a large congregation, and subsequently made an v earnest and strong appeal for contributions towards the cost of the new building. The commodious and substantial churches in the parish and the handsome presbytery were, he said, standing monuments of the generosity of the Catholics of Bungaree in recent years, and he felt sure the same generous spirit would be manifested on the present occasion. The monetary response was eminently satisfactory. The hew convent is being built of brick, and will provide accommodation for seven or eight Sisters, besides a commodious oratory, community room, refectory,, reception, and music rooms, etc.. The convent will be occupied ,by a branch of the Presentation Order of Nuns, now established at Windsor, and will be opened in January.

Many thousands from the metropolis and suburbs ■ crowded the grounds of the Carmelite Monastery,- Mason Street, Hawthorn, last Sunday afternoon, when his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne (Most. Rev. Dr. Mannix) solemnly blessed and- opened the buildings a fine . brick structure of two stories, situated in spacious grounds (says, the Melbourne Advocate for October 5). Amongst those associated with his'Grace were:His Lordship the Bishop of Sale (Right Rev. Dr. Phelan) and a large number of . , the clergy. From an improvised platform, the background of which displayed the Australian and the Irish flags, the speeches were delivered. His Grace the Archbishop said: My duty this afternoon is easily discharged. I have only to join with Father Claffy 'and the other speakers in giving a most cordial welcome to the Carmelite Sisters. I have ikno doubt whatever that the coming of the Carmelite Sisters is one of the greatest blessings that has ever descended upon this city from the Giver of all good gifts. They have come to us looking; for little, but prepared to give a great deal. It may be well for you to know that., the Sisters, either from their own , resources or through the generosity of their friends outside Victoria, were able to find the greater part of the purchase money for this fine building and these extensive grounds. That part of their financial liability is not going to rest upon Melbourne or upon the people of Victoria, and, therefore, even from a financial point of view the Sisters have placed us under an obligation to them! But our financial gain is the smallest part of our indebtedness. We all hope to profit spiritually by the presence amongst us of the Carmelite • Sisters. For, much as we sometimes pride ourselves upon the vigor of the Catholic faith in Melbourne .and in; Victoria, we badly need all the vicarious help that we hope to derive from the prayer and -self-denial of the Sisters. Father Claffy naturally welcomed the Sisters to his own parish of Hawthorn but the Bishop of . Sale rightly emphasised the fact that the whole of Catholic Victoria will rejoice in the coming of the Sisters, and hope to share in the spiritual benefit of their prayers , and good works. On my own behalf, therefore, ; and on behalf of the whole Catholic body of Victoria, I desire to extend a most cordial welcome to the Sisters, and to assure them that we all wish to make them happy and comfortable amongst us in their new home. They will never regret, , I am sure, having selected Melbourne for their first foundation in Australia outside of Sydney. , The coming of the Carmelites to Hawthorn has apparently touched the hearts of the people, and I am overjoyed to see the magnificent gathering which has assembled to bid them welcome. The subscription list, too, shows that practical interest and 1 sympathy are not confined to Hawthorn, but extend right! through Victoria. This is as* it ought to be, and is just what I expected from the Catholic people of Victoria. (Applause.) ; ; ~ . ■ •• . - \ .