THE CATHOLIC FEDERATION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 188, 29 April 1918, Page 6

THE CATHOLIC FEDERATION

Sir,—ln. this morning's issue of Tub Dominion a letter over the signature "Silas Stark" speaks of "Horse Racing and Other Things," and ono of the other tilings is tho Catholic Federation. Your correspondent seems to couple tho Catholic Federation with the Protestant Political Association and tho Prohibition Party, and regards it as an association amassing money to promote a campaign of intolerance and bigotry. N May I correct his wrong impression? The Catholic Federation is a federation of different societies, which havo, long existed' iii the Catholic Church, for the purpose of advancing the religious, civil, and social interests of Catholics throughout Now Zealand, and also to be able as a Catholic body to give expression to Catholic views and principles when need be. It seeks no privileges, desires no favours. Its aim is not to sow discord and strife, but promote justice and charity and good will amongst men. It has never reflected on the religious beliefs of nny person or body; it claims no preference far Catholics in private or public employment. Practically the only money spent'in propaganda work is the salary of the secretary and his assistant, amounting to X2CS a year, and a small sum for necessary printing. ' Sirce the oubre.ik of tho war the fed" eiation has inaugurated the field servicft fund and through it has built a hall in the Trentham Camp, assisted in erect-

inir the hall at Featherston, and eees to the equipment of both halls in tho mattor of stationery and comforts, and at these halls, like all othp.rs, every soldier is welcome. Sums of money are sent from time to time to the Catholic chaplains to spend at their discretion iu alleviating distress or providing conifora for tho soldiers, irrespective of religion or belief. It has encouraged and assisted the Catholic Ladies' Knitting Guild, which works to provide comforts for the soldiers in tho trenches and hospitals, and which also takes its turn in managing the Bed Cross Shop in Larabton Ouiiy. It will, I feel sure, please Mr. Slark to know thnt in these activities for our deserving soldiers the federation lias lit times been generously assisted by various racing clubs and patriotic bodies. The total amount raised by he federation for war purposes is JAM, and not one penny of this lias teen spent in \ ministration; sll has been used foi the purpose for which it has been raisea Moreover, in tho early months o ho war, the federation assisted in col ecting from tho Catholic people ever .£4OOO for (lip sufferers in. Belgium. Not wishing to make This Dominion an advertising -board' for the federation, should Mr. Stark wish for further information on the vlme ui.d objecta ■ »t the federation and :ts balance-sheet, he need only call on the general secretary, Boycott Street, and will obtain it in full.lam:Ct °- D.H. HURLEY SiL Pres. Diocesan Council fc./5.0.1. April 27, 1918.