THE CORONATION OATH

Waikato Argus, Volume XI, Issue 1052, 19 September 1901, Page 2

THE CORONATION OATH

CABLEGRAMS.

[united press association] [by electric telegraph—copyright]

SPEECH BY CARDINAL MORAN. (Received September 19, 9.20 a.tn.) Sydney, September 19. In the course of a speech at the opening of a bazaar Cardinal .Moran said in the present day we have in Australia a genuine Republic. He was not going to speak as a rebel, but as a common-sense speaker. Comparing America witli Australia, he said if the same treatment was extended to Australia for one month, which guided the Home Government with regard to America, before another month Australia would be au independent Australia, and she would have his fullest blessings for being so. Regarding tbe suggested change in the Coronation Oath, about which Catholics in Australia sent a very energetic protest, they were greatly indebted to the Commonwealth for the prompt manner in which the Government forwarded a manifesto to the Home Government, but they saw to their chagrin how cavalierly Mr Charabej’lain, as representing the Home Government, treated the question. He seemed to be ignorant about the whole question being endorsed by the entire Commonwealth. He would tell Mr Chamberlain that the Australians had too much sense to be beguiled by such effrontery. They knew their rights and were determined to fight for them. One of those rights was when the coronation oath insults the great body of Catholics, the wording of it should be amended. When the Sovereign came forward and insulted one-fourth of the citizens of Australia they said to tbe Government of Great Britain : “ Who forced such an oath on the King.” If such a thing goes on we know our rights and an independent Australia will startle you some day, sooner than they expect.’ He did not think a more liberal-minded man than the King existed, or one who more abhorred the oath he was supposed to take, but the King was, unless he objected, forced by law to make a profession which he did not believe, and insult citizens he would rather honour and respect. All they wanted was that tbe British Government should not impose such an unpleasant duty on the Sovereign.