CATHOLIC CLUBS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1707, 26 March 1913, Page 8

CATHOLIC CLUBS.

THE YEARLY CONFERENCE.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Christchurch, March 25. The twelfth annual conference of the federated Catholic Clubs of New Zealand lias just completed its sittings. Tlie representation uf the clubs was as follows: —Auckland, W. .Thomas; Newton, I'. G. J. Tenim and U. Babies; Waihi and Thames, J. J. A. CallagJmu; Wellington, M. U'ivano and C.' Dee; Wellington South, M. O'Kane; Clinstchurcli, i''. Rome and I'. M'Namara; Ashburton, W. .1. Cunningham; Timaru, D. U'llalloran; Waimate, J. S. Lawior; Greymuuth, B. J. IJasmusscn and J. Deere; W'ostpoit, J. Mouiham and C. A. Carmine; itokitika, W.. E. Jones and V. Duffy; Federation Executive, A. 11. Casey and C. A. Carmine. 111 the absence uf the president and vice-president, Mr. A. 11. Casey was elccted to preside.

The Rev. Father O'Boyle. attended 011 behalf of the Roman Catholic clergy of Christchurch lo welcome the delegates.

The chairman read the presidential .address, in which reference was made to tlio desirability of more active co-operation 011 the part of clubs with, tlie executive. Tlio present position of the federation was, in the opinion of the president (Mr. H. M'Keown), not altogether satisfactory.

The report and balance-sheet .(which ware adopted) st.Ucd that several of the affiliated clubs had not led a very aotivo existence (luring the past season. Feeling reference was in ado to the loss suffered by the federation by tlio death <.f its reverend' spiritual director (Rev. Father C. J. Venning, S.M.). The finances of the federation, though small, were satisfactory.

Mr. O'Halloran, on behalf of the Timaru Club, proposed a new rule to the effect that a district be constituted comprising such clubs as were conveniently accessible to one another, more of which clubs (particularly with reference to federation's matters) should be introduced by their respective district representatives; districts and first set districts' representatives io bo managed by the conference, and thereafter district representatives to be appointed by clubs in their .respective districts. Carried, with- an amendment deputing the incoming executive (after communicating with minor clubs) to arrange districts and the first set of district representatives. Mr. 'Thomas (Auckland) proposed an alteration of the rules to provide that tho annual conferenco bo held at Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington, and Dune'din in turn, instead of as at present at Christchurch and Wellington alternately.

An amendment was proposed by Mr. Carinino (Westport) providing that the annual conference should be held at such place as, was selected by tho immediately preceding conference. Tlie amendment was carried, and it was decided to hold tlio next conferenco at Auckland. A motion by • Mr. Dee (Wellington), proposing th-e institution of a challenge shield for inter-club debating contests, was lost by a large majority, tho general opinion being that the shield competitions which had been inaugurated at the con-ference-Ik first allowed an opportunity of developing. A proposal for tho republication of nil oflicial organ, to be callcd "Tho Catholic Magazine," was discussed, and the executive was authorised to proceed with- its republication if satisfactory arrangements ensuring its financial and literary succcss could bo made.

Tlio chairman moved:—"That this conferenco heartily congratulates 'Tho New Zealand Tablet' on its continued ami successful defence of Catholic doctrines and Catholic interests, and expresses its warm appreciation of tho facilities offered for tlio publication of Catholic Club news, of which facilities tho federation and individual clubs hope to tako fuller advantage in the future." ' Tho motion was carried. Tlio conferenco also passed a vote of thanks to the secular press of New Zealand generally for tho prominence given, in its columns to reports of Catholic Club matters, and each "club was directed to convey resolution of thanks to tho local press in its respective district. .

The election of officers for the ensiling year ' resulted as follows:—Presidentgeneral, his Grace Archbishop Redwood; president, Mr. A. 11. Ca??y; vice-president, Mr/ M. O'Kiino; lion, secretary, Mr. C. S. Leatham; lion, treasurer,. Mr. C". A. Carmine; membciw of executive, Messrs. J. C. Leydon, J. M'Gowan, and B. A. Guise. It was resolved:—"That this conforencn tenders its congratulations to the Eight Key. Dr. Cleary (Bishop of Auckland) 4»pbn liis able and sustained effort in opposing the introduction of the Bible into the Stato schools." It was further resolved:—"That this conference is "of opinion that the parents of any Catholic child who, after winning from a Catholic primary school a scholarship entitling such child to free tuition at u State secondary school or its. equivalent, but is nevertheless debarred by the District Education Board from holding such scholarship at a Catholic secondary school of proper grade, should; if tliev prefer for conscientious reasons that their child's education bo continued at such a secondary school, bo compensated to the value of such forfeited scholarship' out of a fund to 1)8 established and maintained by the Catholic body of New Zealand, and that a cony of this resolution be forwarded to the New Zealand Catholic Federation."