THE BOYS AT THE FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1917, Page 3

THE BYS O AT THE FRONT.

A TALK WITH BISHOP CLEARY.

The Roman Catholic Bis-hop of Auckland (Dr. Cleary), who has returned to New Zealand after a lengthy visit to Europe, rendered necessary by a physical •break-down, certainly looks much stronger and fitter than when he left the Dominion. He look better and is better, but he is not yet quite well. Interviews are among the luxuries which the Bishop has been expressly forbidden to indulge in, but 'he was good enough to spare a few minutes for a short informal talk with a Dominion representative, and the war naturally formed the chief topic of conversation.

Few people have had better opportunities of getting first-hand information rejgarding our boys at the front than Bish|op Cleary. He lived for weeks with them in the front trenches sharing their I joys and sorrows, and their dangers too. He became one of themselves.. He thinks the New Zealanders are splendid, and the finest lot of fellows imaginable. He regarded it as a privilege to live with them and to have their company and confidence,; and it was a severe wrench to part from ' them. Officers and men wanted him to stay till the end of the war, and when they realised that he really had to leave they gave him a send-off so hearty and- so affectionate that he will never forget it.

No one is in a position to speak more authoritatively than Bishop Cleary regarding the conditions that prevail at the front. Heis a keen observer, and enjoyed the confidence of officers and men. It is, therefore, satisfactory to have his definite assurance that our men were well clothed, well fed, and well looked after. He says the people of New Zealand need pave no misgivings on this point. Everything that science, medical skill, and effi, cient organisation can do to keep fiie men physically fit and in good spirits is being, done. No army in the history of the world has been so well cared for The standard of health among the NewZeais wonderfully high. The Bishop spoke very highly of ih work which is being done .by the chaplams of various faiths. Men of the right sort are being sent, and they have gained the confidence The chaplains are he sajs, a ban<Tl brothers, i He tT™ a m . e -d friends foP3 among them. They trust one another fully and help each other in every possible way Speaking for his own Church, he i, quite certain that the services of, the chaplains are greatly appreciated by the men in the trenches, and ho has evtry reason to beneve that, the same rnay be said of the other denominations.

Referring to the exemption of the Clergy from conscription, the Bishop said that before the 'War there was a-serious shortage of •priests, and that shortage has since become much more serious (His Church ihas great difficulty in providing for the religious needs of its people in New Zealand, and has also to provide its share of the military chaplains. There is need at present for the establishment of several more parishes in his own die* ccse, but the required number of clerev cannot be found, tie is strongly- of opinion that the Marist Brothers should be exempt from. conscription.T-Dominion