Mr Hughes and Roman Catholics.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1920, Page 3

Mr Hughes and Roman Catholics.

THE CASES OF JERGER AND MANNIX.

SYDNEY, July 28. ; I The announcement that the British I Government will not allow Dr Mannix. I Roman Catholic Archbishop of Melj bourne to land in Britain, following up on the furious Jerger agitation here' | has caused a mild sensation. It is likely to have important reactions in this I country. It is considered quite likely I that the Federal Government will seek I to prevent the return of Dr Mannix to this country; and if that course is takI en, there is every possibility of some j sort of outbreak. “Ever since you came into this House it has been nothing but Mannix and Jerger!” cried Mr. Hughes, furiously, to Mr Ryan in the House of Representatives the other evening. “But ! i’ ll g ive you Father Jerger before I’m done with you. And Mr Ryan spat back defiance.- That is the note of the battle that is actually on. It is virtual ly the Irish section of the Roman Catholic Church against Mr Hughes—and Mr Hughes is challenging these militants in his firiest manner. . Mr Ryan scarcely fits the role to which Mr Hughes lias assigned him. He is a large, fat, poly man, who seems to beam good-nature, and to be the last to engage in the subtle anti-British in-

trigues at which Air Hughes hints. But the fact remains that he fought the Federal elections, unsuccessfully in that Labour gained no seats, in close association with Dr/Mannix and those who think with him him. Mr Hughes declares that the bitter fight to keep Father Jerger in Australia, is simply 'due to the fact that Father' Jerger is a priest of the powerful Church; and Mr Ryan has been, prominent in the light.

I An interesting cause celebre is comI ing from the Jerger agitation. General Sir Granville Ryrie—who was a notable warrior in Palestine and is now Assistant Minister for Defence—speaking in Sydney recently, said: “How paltry would be our social and econom. ic differences, could only combine as we did in that campaign. We would make a success of our national life, just as we brought the great war to a successful conclusion. Unfortunately it cannot be so. It is necessary to havo a great loyalist rally at the Town Hall, and we all know it is in connexion with th© deportation of one who, to my mind has been fairly shown to be a rcbol and a traitor.” Mr Frank Brennen, a barrister, a ' member of the House of Representatives, an extreme Labourite, and a prominent Roman Ca_ tholic, or behalf of Father Jerger, (who having been well hidden away at sea or elsewhere has probably not seen the speech) promptly issued a £SOOO writ against General Rvrie. .Air Hughes has now announced that, as General Ryrie spoke as a Minister and expressed the Ministry’s views, the Ministry will defend the action.