PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 307, 23 September 1919, Page 6

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

INFORMATION WANTED. Sir,-A copy of the annual report of the U'elliugion Diocesan Council of the Roman (Jaihulie Federation has come into my bands, and it is well that the people of A'ew Zealand 'should know' somutUing of what this organisation is doing and what, so far us it is coiieorned, iioinuu Catholic denominational education really menus, as one of the planks of the Roman Catholic federation w to obtain State aid for its schools. The report commences with a statement condemning the State school unsectarian 6ystem . of education and a laudation of the Roman Catholic system. Now, ..if., the Roman Catholic Federation can show that Roman (Jatholio schools are turning out more truthful, more honest, auu better citizens than the State schools; if it can show that in proportion to population they are saving any expenditure on our courts of justice, our police, or our gaols, then 1 am a supporter of denominational education subsidised by the State. 1 know of no causo whatever for the remark of the Rev. Father O'Connell, of Wangamii, that, "the Stato system was falling to pieces." Neither should thero havo been any cause whatever for the Rev. Father Hurley, of i Wellington, to say: "Besides our < ecclesiastical leaders, wo also need leaders among the laity, but those leaders, to be successful, must possess three very necessary Qualifications, viz., zeal, intelligence, and obedience." Zeal for what, pray? And why is intelligence needed when there is no need for intelligence if obedience is to bo the deciding factor? The Rev. Father Hurley implies that the only right way to act is as per instructions, and no man has any right to an opinion excopt the clergy. Does not history in all countries prove that where Church and State are joined degradation to both follows? Take the Jews. Tnko tho British, the Germans, the French, the Italians, tho Russians, the Spaniards, the Central and South American States, and you see it. I am not alluding with regard to the British especially to the Roman Catholic Church at the time of the Reformation, but I am referring more especially to the despotism of the Anglican Church, which caused the Puritan Revolution under Oliver Cromwell as well. When tho clergy had tho upper. hand in all these countries, what was the social state of the people? . To-day Spain is. strivim; to free herself, and ■ as always before, the freedom will probably only be brought about by the shedding of much blood. ■ ' ■ The foregoing is preliminary only to the point I wish to draw attention to to demonstrate where the policy advocated by the Rev. Father Hurley leads. The report of the executive committee contains this paragraph: "Field Service FundTliis fund, in common with all other •war relief funds, has been closed by'order of the Government, nnd it is gratifying to know that a substantial balance remained on hand when the contributions were stopped. No doubt money will still bo required by tlie chaplains in connection with the demobilisation of .the troops, and at the military hospitals here in New Zealand, but. a useful sum-should remain after all claims aro mot, and your executive has a 'proposal to place before the council concerning its allocation." Here. I may note, that the executive are all laymen, and accordingly a Mr. Johnson moved, on behalf of the executive committee, as follows: "That the Dominion Council be requested to devise a scheme for the allocation of tho surplus of the Field Ser r vice Fund, with the recommendation that scholarships bo founded for tho benefit of children of the members of the Expeditionary Forces," adding that there was now no need to remit to chaplains, and that the soldiers in the hospitals were well cared for, and the executive foel the substantial balance should lie invested nnd the proceeds used for the benefit of children of the soldiers. Mr. Luxford seconded and supported Mr. Johnson. , But this did not suit the clergy, and after eoino discussion ' the Rev. Father O'Connell, of Wangariui, moved, and the Rev. FMher M'Grath, of Nelson, seconded: "That the balance to credit of the Fi»Ul Servic« Fund be divided nmone the dioceses in proportion to their several contributions," and obediently this wns carried. Now. where did this money come f'-onir Who subscribed it? Did subscribers, Roman Catholic or otherwise, ever intend it for t!ie purpose of forwarding Rnmnn Cutholic diocesan interests? Wlion the balance-sheet relating to the Field Service Fund is examined it looks liVe this:— Receipts— Nnpier Orphans Club, M* Us. 7d.; l'almerston North town nnd country women workers, ,C<M; Palmerston North Racin" filnh. .£500; Wnngnnm nnd WaiWarn. Vatnntic Society, .£"5: Wnipawn Ladies' Patriotic Committee, 41101 Bs.; F.ltham Patriotic Society, MM; Reef I on Jockey Club. ,ClO 10s.: North' • Tfliranaki Patriotic League-. ,C 152 10s. fid. Total. £M 2 .I*. Id. Othor contributions which I will give Roman Cnth-

olic people the whole credit of subscribing from Eltham to Napier, Mo 9, 9s. lid. Grand total, JS2III 13s, Disbursements.—Field Service Fund, .£2lll 13s. (This is nil the.information shown. There is no record of balance on hand or where the money was spent.) The statement is signed by T. A. Halpin, lion, treasurer, and "audited and found correct by H. M'Keown, lion, auditor, one of the executive committee. As tho balance of the funds was evidently sufficient to form a scholarship fund, and as about TO per cent, was subscribed by the outsido public, I think something should be done towards elucidating this account so that thoso who paid their money may know fully what has been done with' it. I am quite aware that accounts of moneys such as church offertories and receipts for masses, etc., are the concern of- the Church only. In this case, however, there are other than Soman Catholics concerned, and every penny ought to be accounted for, the same as is done l)y other bodies. In conclusion, let me say I am not a member of tho Protestant Political Association. Excepting the Rev. Howard Elliott I do not know the name of a single memlwr of it« committee. I do not know the Rev. Howard Elliott even by sight, and may I express the hope that he leave- this matter alone, or if the P.P.A. want to taka any notice they will select some other mouthpiece.—l am, BYSTANDER,