CATHOLICS INSULTED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 247, 18 April 1912, Page 7

CATHOLICS INSULTED.

SENSATION AT WAIHI. Auckland, April 15. The correspondent of 'the »Star at Waihi 'telegraphed to-day:— An unusual scene occurred in the Miners' Union Hall last night at the conclusion of an address by 'Mr. R. F. Way, on "The Martyrdom of Ferrer," under the auspices of the Waihi Socialist party." When the lecturer had finished the Ven. Archdeacon Brodie, of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 'who, with a number of members of the Catholic Club, was present, took the platform and stated that when lie gave a lecture on the same subject before the Catholic Club he was careful not to offend anyone, Socialist or otherwise. That night Catholics had ) listened to great abuse, also to insults j of all they held near and dear. If 'the lecturer, said the Archdeacon,

would invest in a penny catechism he would know the .Church's teaching on indigencies and would not make such rash statements regarding them. "Many Catholics were members of the Miners' Union, and he protested against its platform being used by speakers to insult the beliefs of Christians. If an apology were not forthcoming, it would be necessary for Catholics to leave the present union and form a Christian workers' union, with the same object as the present one. There would be no "scabs" 01 "blacklegs," but an assurance would be given that the conscientious beliefs of every member 'would be free from insult. Sir. Way's reply waa a denunciation of Christianity and particularly of Catholics and priests. Towards the end of his remarks tiie Archdeacon had difficulty in obtaining a

hearing. The audience consisted mostly of Socialists. The affair has caused a sensation in the town.