Archbishop Mannix on New Zealand

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 15, 10 April 1924, Page 33

Archbishop Mannix on New Zealand

'PROGRESS OF CATHOLICITY.

In responding to the toast of “His Grace the Archbishop and the Clergy” at a recent (annual) Communion breakfast of the H.A.C.13. Society held in the Cathedral Hall, Melbourne, the Most Rev, Ur. Mannix said:

“I, have just come hack from “God’s own country,” they call New Zealand. 1 do not know whose country this is-(laughter) — but I can assure you that I am very glad to be back. (Applause.) I can assure you also that no welcome could give me more pleasure than that given to me this morning by the Hibernians at their general Communion. (Applause.) It is a delight to me, on my return from New Zealand, to have the opportunity of being -present at this magnificent demonstration, (Applause.) In spite of the threatening weather, many members have come great distances, and I think the numerical strength of the gathering is up to that on previous and more propitious occasions.' (Applause.) 1 therefore congratulate the Grand President and you all, and again wish to assure you that I am deeply grateful to you. (Applause.)

f Newspaper’s Questionable Taste.

While I was away yon and others seem to have had a slight skirmish with one of the evening newspapers here. I did not hear. anything about this matter until I came back from New Zealand. While I was in the Dominion I read the papers there, but I was out of touch with the Australian papers. I was not aware that any such resolution as I that proposed was to he put to you this morning, and it appears that I was the only one to vote against it. lighter.) I will tell you why I voted against it. First of all, Ido not worry about the name by what 1 am called in the Melbourne evening newspapers, or in the morning newspapers for that matter. (Laughter.) And, secondly, I have often been called by worse names than my own. (Laughter.) I am prepared to believe that the paper referred to in your resolution has been following the example of newspapers in other parts of the world. Ido not think that in doing so our local paper is showing either good , judgment or good taste. But I have neither the time nor the wish to give lessons in taste to the newspapers, or to attempt to remove the spots from the Sun. (Laughter.) I have, therefore,

cast my own vote against the resolution which you have '-passed. I hope that I am justified also in thinking that the evening paper referred to did not intend to he offen- . sive, You, however, look at this matter from a different angle from mine, and you hfiwe voiced a protest which may have a good effect upon this and other papers. These matters of press courtesy and good taste are between you and the newspapers. I am a detached, though interested spectator. (Laughter and applause.)

Beautiful New Zealand.

. ■i, I have come back with very pleasing memories of my first visit to New Zealand. (Applause.) If the opportunity presents itself, I strongly advise anyone in this gathering to see New Zealand. (Applause.) It will well repay a visit. I have seen a good deal of the world, hut, taking all in all, I have not seen anywhere a more beautiful country than New Zealand. (Applause.) Not only is New Zealand a- beautiful country, with a climate., that can scarcely be surpassed, .but I can sincerely say that the kindness, hospitality and generosity of the people of New Zealand are worthy of imitation anywhere. (Applause.)

Lessons for Australia,; New Zealand’s Wise'- Policy. V New Zealand’s experience might well be repeated in Australia. I have nothing to say of the present ruling power* in New Zealand, But .if we had had politicians at any time in Australia of equal with those whom they must ‘have had at some period in'New. Zealand, this country would be much better,than it is. (Applause.) In Victoria and New South Wales half- of the population of. the two States is to be found in Melbourne and Sydney. There are four principal cities in the - Dominion, but-not one of them has grown to unhealthy dimensions. In addition, they have in New Zealand a number of progressive, prosperous towns, containing from , 5000 to- 20,000' people. Australia would be much better ‘off if the population were /distributed similarly; (Applause.) One can ’drive/ over

hundreds of miles through desert and unsettled country in ; Australia, but things have been managed much better in New Zealand. (Applause.) There the laud has been divided into reasonable holdings, and on every holding is a comfortable house, (Applause.) -Ample, provision has been made round these homesteads for plantations and flower and vegetable gardens, and over the whole country there is a suggestion of industry thrift and comfort not always found elsewhere, In many parts of Australia it is impossible to see a tree, even with the aid of a telescope. (Laughter.) The country dwellings in New Zealand are usually of wood, but it is a rare thing to find one that has not been recently and, tastefully painted. Apart altogether from the scenery of New Zealand, the homes of the people on the land are . pleasant to see and well worthy of imitation/- (Applause/) It would indeed ■be a good thing for Australians to go to New Zealand and see lor themselves. (Applause.) Our politicians would bo benefited in many ways if they visited New Zealand and took to heart what can be seen there. (Applause.) I shall be glad to revisit New Zealand, though I confess that I dread the passage across the water, no matter how-calm. (Laughter.) After even a short sea trip 1 always feel that L. want a Jong holiday on the land. (Laughter and applause.)

Catholicity Flourishing. Another thing that ' interested me greatly is the position of the Catholic Church in New Zealand. The Catholic Church in New Zealand has a record that any country might he proud of. (Applause.) In New Zealand the Catholic population is only one in seven or eight. But light tluoiigh the country I found marvellous signs of progress of the Catholic faith. (Applause.) There are •splendid churches, presbyteries, orphanages, convents, and schools, and in some of the large towns the churches, convents [other institutions are as good as, if not indeed better than, anything that Australia has to show/outside its capital cities. (Applause.) I was therefore greatly pleased with the evident signs of the depth of the faith and of the generosity of the people of New Zealand. (Applause.) -

Archbishop^- wood’s Episcopal Jubilee. Nothing could exceed the magnificence of the demonstration in "Wellington in connection with the episcopal jubilee of the illustrious Archbishop of that city. Archbishop Redwood is held in affectionate regard in Melbourne, ami I was glad to have the opportunity of conveying to him your felicitations and good wishes, (Applause.) Certainly the Archbishop of Wellington must he one of the most | marvellous men in the world. (Applause.) He is 00 years, of age, and yet is as active of body and as alert of mind as a man of 35. (Applause.), The jubilee demonstration was worthy of him and of the Catholitffbf New Zealand. The procession -through the streets of Wellington was a magnificent spectacle, and the route, extending about two miles, was lined with thousands .of people, including large numbers of non-Catholics. (Applause.) Members of the Hierarchy, clergy, school children, and the various Catholic societies marched through the principal stiLts of Wellington, ami the demeanor of the large crolds of onlookers m the streets was most respectful. (Applause) 1 mention this because in Australia we do not always hear of the best side of New Zealand. (Applause.) We hear of intolerance, of sectarianism, and of fussy Government regulations,, hut there is another and a'cleaner side to New Zealand. (Applause.) ■ •••.• ■- :

Small-minded Mayor: A / Misfit "in Public Life. 1 know the daily papers here did not say'much about the magnificent demonstration and the remarkable procesMint they- gave prominence to the refusal’ of the Mayor of Wellington to give a civic reception to the Bishops of Australia. The-reason given by the mayor, one Mr. Wright —wrongly placed a s well as wrongly named— (laughter)—' that ho. could not give a civic welcome to the visiting Bishops if Dr. Mannix were present, because, forsooth, the great Mr. Wright did not approve of Dr. MannixVattitude during the war. His loyal soul was still in yfcanic eruption. (Laughter.) The worthy mayor overlooked the fact that the. majority of Australians did, not share his view, and also that he owed his position as mayor to the people If Wellington, who heartily endorsed and took their parts in (Continued »mi page 35) ' ,/■