AN AUCKLAND CORRESPONDENT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 6, 7 June 1873, Page 8

AN AUCKLAND CORRESPONDENT.

_ . May 24th. In the interests of the Church, I do not t\ink the New Zealand Tablet is established one moment too soon. In the absence of any such exponent of Catholic feeling, the enemies of the Church could Lave it nearly all their own way ; because, with a few honorable exceptions, the Presß of New Zealand is rather unfavourable than otherwise to Catholicity. We do not seek to quarrel with any denomination. That is not at all our principle. In matters affecting our interests, as Catholics, we merely seek for the same measure of justice that is meted out to other denominations ; and, in doing this, we only ask for that which we conceive to bo our just rights. Catholics contribute towards the support of the State in common with all tbeir fellow-colonists ; and, in common with them,thev claim their fair sharo of civil and religious liberty in all things essential. To effect this we need a faithful sentinel and zealous guardian of our rights and privileges in the columns of a Catholic organ,, such as the Nevo Zealand Tablet, I feel assured, will prove to be. The time is therefor j well choßen for its appearance ; it might bo well had it been sooner : but, as the saying goes, " better late than never." As " coming events cast their shadows before them," there are signs of bigotry and intolerance in the horizon which seriously threaten Catholic interests, and it will need all the vigilance, and zeal, and energy of the faithful warder on the watch-tower to mar the evil effects of those portentous signs. But what will not a bold front and indomitable energy effect j and "to be forewarned is to be forearmed" in this respect. We have rights to guard and privileges to maintain, socially, politically, and religiously ; but, whilst we legally and constitutionally endeavour to compass th. sc birth-rights, we shall never attempt to interfere with the rights and privileges of others. Civil and religious liberty shall be our motto j and when we simply ask this for ourselves, wo shall at all times be prepared to freely accord it to all who differ from us in politics and religion. We seek to quarrel wit •. no one ; and will endeavour, if permitted, to pursue the even tenor of our way without giving offence to any ; but, if a quarrel should he attempted to be put upon us, we shall jneei it boldly and fearlessly, with merely the simple weapons of truth

and 3ustice, which will prove, in the end, to be a shield and armour of invincibility. The next great consideration for the Catholics of tbi» colony is, are they fairly represented in the General Assembly ? If tho number and importance of the Catholic body of New Zealand be taken into consideration, tho wonder is, how few of them have Beats in the Parliament of the country. Why this should be bo I cannot say, otherwise than by remarking that either Catholics themselves are too mdifferent upon so important a matter, or that too much intolerance and bigotry is exercised towards them, which oug' t not to be the case, when the fact is taken into account that they bear their fair share, in every way, of the burdens of the country, with every other denomination of their fellow colonists. Why, then, should a spirit of exolusiveness of this kind be exercised towards them ? Yet, in such matters, it is to he deplored that the Government of the Colony would descend from its dignity by taking the lead in this spirit of exclusiveness, not only regarding immigration ; but also in ita nominations and appointments. Regarding immigration, the Government appears to be actuated by a spirit similar to that by which the Orangemen of Bandon were moved, when they inscribed over its gateß, " Jew, Turk, or Athiest may onter here, but no Papist." The institutions of the Colony, are, moro or less, of a democratic character, and, as such, its Government should rule without favour or affection. Encouragement would be given to Chinese, Scandinavian, and any other system of immigration into this colony ; but no encouragement whatever would bo given to the immigration of Irish Roman Catholics. Ought such an intolerant spirit as as this exist ? Decidedly not, especially when it is well known that they are proved to be good, profitable, and loyal subjects wherever they exist. Then, again, there is the questionJJ of education. Upon this subject Roman CatholL s have something to say and urge. They are called upon to contribute towards its support, but they are not permitted to have any control in its manag ment. Is this right or just ? The principle of "Do unto others as you would wish others to do unto you " is entirely ignored regarding Catholics. If Protestants would not aend their children to Catholic schools, why should they expect that Catholics would send their children to Protestant schools? The Catholic Church will never consent to send its youth to be educated in Godless colleges. This has been the great bone of contention in Ireland : the Catholic Heirarchy of that country, on the one part, insisting upon their right to have t :e entire control over the religious ducation of the Catholic youth in tho schools and colleges there ; and the Government, on the other part, sanctioning a secular education only. If any argument were needed on my part to point out the importance of the religious element forming a portion of the education of youth, I nead merely direct attention to the schools of the Christian Brothers in Ireland, wherein the moral and religious training of the pupils is carefully attended to by those most exemplary men. I have myself known Protestant employers and merchants take pupils from these schools for their establishments as employees in preference to thos • of their own creed ; and the reason is obvious, and requires no xplanation. I wish we had those schools established in New Zealand, and I trust tho day is not far distant when such will be an established fact. I have no doubt at all upon my mind but that the establishment of the New Zealand Tablet will be a great success, not only in Dunedin, but also in every other part of the Colony. A movement is already Bet on foot in Auckland towards this end. It behoves every Catholic who can do so to become a subscriber. Our venerated and excellent Bishop is most untiring in t'le performance of his Apostolic duties in this Provinco. He is almost übiquitous in his movements. He occasionally snubs intolerance and bigotry when i shown towai-ds our Holy Church ; and for this some of our dissanting cl rical scribes, under one norn de plume or another, think him a worthy mark to aim a pointless s'.jaft at. But, like the rock of tho Churchi he is proof against their venom.