CATHOLIC FEDERATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 62, 31 July 1912, Page 7

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

REMARKABLE PROGRESS. Although only in existence about «ix months, the progress achieved by the Australian Catholic Federation has been quite remarkable. It is constituted on similar lines to the Volksverein (People's Union) of Germany, which is considered to be the greatest society ever devised for the development of the social sense of the people. The movement originated in Victoria, where over 70 parish councils, with 200 district' sub-commit-tees, hava be«n formed. The diocesan and central councils are now in course of construction, which will complete the organisation of the machinery of the Federation in the State. In South Australia 22 parish councils are already in existence, in addition to numerous subcommittees in the outlying portions of the parishes and a diocesan council already formed. The Federation movement is now being inaugurated in Queensland and West Australia, where excellent results are anticipated. It is also expected that New iSouth Wales, Tasmania and New Zealand will introduce the work at an early date. When the ramifications of the Federation are complete, the organisation will represent over a million Catholics spread throughout Australasia. The principal objects of the Federation are: —(a) The mutual support and advancement of Catholic societies; (b) tho dissemination of Catholic literature; (c) the safeguarding ef Catholic education; (d) the exi pression of Catholic opinion on social i and public questions affecting Catholic interests.

The Federation is desirous of co-oper-ating with citizens of all denominations in movements for the public good and will not confine its. sphere of action to merely Catholic and religious interests, out will extend its influence for good to those also of every branch of social life. One of the works -already undertaken in this direction was thc'calling together of a. conference to combat the evil of immoral literature, postcards and cinematographic films, which was presided over by the Chief Justice, Sir John Madden, and iit which all the great religious de-nom-inations and public bodies were represented. Working in conjunction with the provisional committee are the following sub-committees:—Education, social questions, Press, syllabus, immigrants' aid, finance and organising. A proposal is now on foot for a World Federation of Catholics, in which the Australian Catholic, Federation will be represented, the lion, secretary, Mr. T. J. O'Brien, being m communication with the Catholic Federations of England, Germany and America.