CATHOLIC FEDERATION

Press, Volume L, Issue 14889, 31 January 1914, Page 15

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

DIOCESAN COUNCIL'S HALFYEARLY MEETING. . I Tha half-yearly general meeting of branch delegates to tho Christchurch Diocesan Council of the Now Zealand CathoKc Federation was opened in tho Christchurch Catholic Club rooms, "Wilt6hiro buildings, on Tuesday evening; The president, Mr W. Hayward, jun., presided. The clergy (and their parochial districts incidentally) wero represented by the Very Key. Dean Hills S.M.V.G. (St. Mary's, Christcburck North), Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm. (Cathedral), Rev. Dr. Kennedy (Methven-Rokaia), Revs. Father O'Don* noil (Ashburton), Richards (Hawarden), Cobney (Lyttelton), and O'Connor (Lincoln), and various diocesart branches "of the Federation by Messrs J. R. Hayward, (Cathedral), T. H. Cape-Wil-liamson (St. Mary's, Christchurch .North), T. Keenan (Greymouth), W. Barry and "W. Gallen (Fairlie), P. Ranole and P. Tully (Rakaia), M. Poff and T. McAnulty (Methven), J. A. Black and S. V J. Ryan (Rangiora), and |J. E. Doolan (Lyttelton/. Owing to J the harvost'operations many of tho appointed delegates of country branches were unable to attend, and at the re- . quest of some proxies were appointed as follow:—Geraldino, Mr P. C. Augarde; Temuka, Mr J. J. O'Gorman; Ross, Mr F. Smith; Ahaura, Mr T. Sheehan. The president wolcomed th© delegates. He expressed gratification for . the excellent attendance, especially in view of the long distances many of tho delegates had como. Although the Federation movemenT in this diocese was not n year old the results achieved were eminently satisfactory. The Very Rev. Doan Hills, S.M.V.G., referred to the good work already accomplished in tho matter of organisa- | tion. Tho results were even now manifest, and ho, warmly commendod the energy and enthusiasm displayed in what was really only the beginning of a great movement that must eventually prove beneficial in an eminent degree. Tlio report of the diocesan council | executive and treasurer's statement were read and adopted. Comprehensive reports were given on behalf of all branches represented as to organisation, local activities and statistical information. . Particulars were given of the recent formation of threo branches, viz., at Rangiora, Lyttelton, and HawardenAmberley, witji most satisfactory results. ' Spirited discussion ensued unon the following subjects'—Organisation, the activities of the Catholic Immigration Committeo and the best methods of co-operating, literature, the education question, the Bible-in-schools question, and other matters of pressing importance to the Catholic body. Many of the,speakers contended for a clear cut "objective" being defined on questions most, afFecting Catholic interests, as a guide to all branches. J his phase of tho Federation activities will most probably be advanced nt tho meeting of the Dominion Council at Wellington next month. The acting-executivo was elected formally as the official body, in accordance.with . the constitution and r , ul<^',,. wlth the addition of Messrs J. J. O Gorman and J. E. Doolan. Nineteen branches of the Federation with a number of sub-committees are now ib working order hr the diocese, with a membership of several thousand. It is anticipated that before the next general meeting i n j u i y no parochial district in the Christchurch diocese will be outside the Federation, and that when organisation is complete it will bo possible to concentrate all effort* in the solid work for which tho Federation was established.