FATHER HAYS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1430, 14 April 1905, Page 2

FATHER HAYS.

HE EXPLAINS HIS POSITION.

IfFer Press Association.)

I Invercargill, last night. I The meeting addressed by Father Hays j at Winton to-night was a very large one, I including many Boman Catholics. I Father Hays made a statement to the I effect that he was glad to meet at InverI cargill and Winton so many of his Boman I Catholic co-religionists, and to know that I they had taken no notice of the vile I attempts of people interested in the liquor I traffic to drag the Church and Bishop in I the mud, and oause religious strife. He I had personally the greatest respect for j I the bishops and priests. They were not I opposed to his work. He could not expect I bishops to officially use their position to I countenance as a Catholic movement that I which was quite unsectarian. He had I come to New Zealand quite independent I of any church. He was not a paid agent I of any society. Having succeeded Cardinal I Mannmg as vice-president of the Alliance I in England, the sister Alliance in New I Zealand, as represented by all the temper- [ anoe societies in the colony, had under- I taken to organise for him meetings and I business arrangements. It was no part of I his work to diotate to people as to which I way they must vote. Ho had a civil right I as a British subject to visit New Zealand I and study the temperance question, and I form his own opinions. I