VISITING CATHOLIC DIGNITARIES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2702, 1 March 1924, Page 3

VISITING CATHOLIC DIGNITARIES.

WHY CIVIC RECEPTION WAS NOT HELD. Wellington. Thursday. The Mayor of Wellington, in replying to criticism by Bishop Faricll and Mr P. ,T. O’Regan on his '■"N attendance at (lie reception in honour of Archbishop Redwood’s jubilee, replied that 11 members of the Council were present, but personally he pleaded guilty. The question naturally arose why the Mayor was absent. The answer was simply that the Mayor was adv:sed by the secretary of the jubilee committee, Father Gilbert, not to attend. The Mayor and councillors accepted an invitation and arrangement were later made for the Mayor to speak for five minutes. Some hours later, Father Gilbert telephoned that the programme was extremely long, and he feared there would not he time for Mr Wright to speak.

The Mayor replied that he was willing to agree, and if his presence at the reception was likely to cause embarrassment he would not he present. Fa tli cr Gilbert replied there was no reason why he should not. attend. Next morning, Father Gilbert advised the town clerk that it would be better if tbe Mayor did not attend tbe reception. Instead of censure, the Mayor states that he should have received thanks . for trying to preserve harmony. Regarding tbe matter of a civic reception to the hierarchy, when the Mayor found (lip visitors included Dr. Mannix. Archbishop of Melbourne, he informed Father Gilbert that after (be action of Dr. Mannix during the war, be was unable In uive him a civic reception, but lie was willing to give a civic reception to all tbe others. Father Gilbert replied asking in the circumstances. that tbe reception be i nin-cllo.l. The reply concludes: “Tbe reason for excluding Archbishop Mannix was that T believe him to be a disloyal subject, who is absolutely opposed to the British people and the Empire. He was prevented by tbe British Government. from landing in New Zealand during tbe war period.” His Worship quoted Mr Justice Hoydon, an Australian Roman Catholic, who summed up the teaching of Dr. Mannix as follows: “The final issue of himself before bis country, and such teaching is flint, a man may put a man we call n traitor.” The Mayor of Wellington says finally : “I do not in any way regret my action, and in the like circumstances, would again act in a similar way.”