THE CATHOLIC FEDERATION.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14971, 19 May 1914, Page 3

THE CATHOLIC FEDERATION.

'JL\ EMPHATIC PROTEST.

CERTALV BOOKS AND MOVING PICi'URJiS IJ.BJi.CTEI> TO.

(SOCIAL IO "THE FBESS.")

AUCKLAND, May IS.

'The Gathohc Federation has approached various local booksellers, with a demand that' a book of Hall Caine's snouid bo witiiurawn iroin saie, unuer penalty of a boycott.

\\ icu a view to ascertaining the policy of the Catholic .Federation in regard to such matters, a representative of the "Star" interviewed a prominent officio.' of that organisation. The latter sai I that the book in question was one c: several which the Federation was exert-

ing r.s influence against, in pursuance of its policy to discourage the said *->i literaturo which was impure, or wh oh struck at '.he Roman Catholic fairA The New Zealand Federation was pr.i. of a world-wide organisation, -an l "'- '-!■'■

this Dominion alone had a membeitsiiip cf over 10.000, with branches in almost every district, from .North Cape to Bluff.

It would also seem that moving picture films are coming under the close scrutiny of the Catholic Federation. Quite recently a picture which-was about to be displayed in Auckland was taken exception to, in the course of interview between Federation offieia and the manager of tho picture hal The picture .was considered objectionably bec'iuse it made light of the Rotnai Catholic faith. The manager final'y consented to its withdrawal, remarking that he would send the film down South, where the people wero not so particular. Ho did so, but a Federation letter had preceded it. and the southern branches of the organisation effectively protests p gainst displays in that part of the D-> minion. Next, the was sent Australia, hut by tho same mail a letter + o the headquarters of the Catholic Federation gave notice of its arrival, -nd the pic+i"-e was not screened in the Commonwealth.