Rev. Father Hays.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 22734, 16 May 1905, Page 2

Rev. Father Hays.

OPEN LETTER TO MR ISITT. The Post has been requested by Rev Father Hays to publish the following open letter addressed by him to the Secretary of the New Zealand Alliance : “ Dear Sir, —I have to thank you and your colleagues of the New Zealand Alliance for the assistance you have rendered to my temperance crusade by requesting citizens’ committees of all creeds in the local centres to organise meetings for me and for managing business arrangements. This simple arrangement seems to have given rise to misunderstanding and to such adsurd statements in that my ‘ mission is under the aus pices of the Alliance • ’ that it is a political movement; ’ that ‘ the Roman Catholic Church is opposed to the crusade,’ “ The magnificent audiences and the enthusiasm of the multitudes prove that the people of New Zealand are too intelligent to be mis guided by such statements, emanat from those who derive benefits from or who are interested in, public houses. Still, some few of the unwary and ignorant might be misled, and I want to do as ranch good as possible to all, for Christ, our common Lord and Master, would not that even one should perisb. Therefore, after 12th May, I shall be able te manage my own meetings absolutely and independent of any society, and I hope that people of all creeds in ’■heir own localities will combine as citizens to promote the noble cause of temperance ‘ for God aud for humanity.’ “As I said on arrival a month ago my crusade is absolutely unsectarian and non-party political. It is quite independent and not under the auspices of any organisation. The meetings are entirely ‘ my own ’ and are intended to do good to ail men. “I regret that misunderstanding should arise. Most sincerely and cordially I thank you for your assistance. —I remain, my dear sir, yours sincerely, “ F. Hays.” To Mr Isitt, Sec. N.Z. Alliance.