To the Editor of the Tablet.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 172, 14 July 1876, Page 14

To the Editor of the Tablet.

Sns, — I was pleased to see from your columns that the memberg of the H.A.C.8.5., in New Zealand, have at last been aroused from their apathy concerning the welfare and progress of so noble an institution if carried out in that true catholic and national spirit which prompted its organization. It appears to me the time has arrived for the New Zealand branches to unite in forming District Boards throughout the Colony, thereby consolidating their interests in a society which, with judicious government for the next few years, will undoubtedly rank as the leading benefit institution in the Colonies. As far as I am aware, the whole of the New Zealand branches are immediately and separately under the jurisdiction of the Executive Directory in Melbourne, and consequently our governmental powers are placed in anything but an enviable position if occasion should arise for a united action on the part of our members. We cannot have a better illustration of the evil effects likely to arise from petty local details of government being carried out at a distance from home than the alarm and disappointment generally expressed at the change of local government from Otago to another province. If this be the case where the administrative government is sought to be removed to so short a distance from home, does not the principle apply with still more force when the simplest matter has to be transacted outside the Colony altogether ? As Executive Directory branches it is notorious if we require only a Bheet of writing paper, it must be had from Melbourne. Again, anything required in the shape of goods, notwithstanding local tradesmen might be able to prepare the same equally well, we are prohibited from obtaining even from brothers of the Society, and must send to Melbourne for every trifling requisite. This is manifestly unfair, and it would be well that some united representation were made on the subject of prohibition of local expenditure. It should be our laudable ambition to endeavour to obtain every legitimate power for the advancement of the local interests of the Society, and while charity is our watchword, it is well occasionally to remember " Charity commences at home." It is a matter of regret that the Executive Directory have not been enabled to work unanimously and harmoniously together, from whatever cause arising. The election of Executive Directory Officers, so far as delegates are concerned, I deem wrong in principle, and a growing cause of disunion. These officers are supposed to be elected as representatives of the whole body of members, but by the present system of management the contrary is the case ; hundreds, perhaps thousands of the members virtually being without lawful representation. It is a well known fact that members in this Colony, comparatively speaking evince very little interest in the Executive elections, and those who appoint delegates, generally Melbourne residents, do so more as a matter of form than in the hope of receiving any great benefit from such representation. To my mind nothing would excite a better spirit of emulation among the members, or tend to make them individually and collectively interest themselves in the future progress and advancement of the institution, more than electing the Executive Officers of the Societylby individual representation throughout the Colonies, where every brother would be called upon to vote for bis superior officers, and necessarily make himself acquainted with the various candidates' qualifications, &c Officers so elected might truly call themselves representatives of the entire Society, but I doubt if they ever can under the present regime, to say nothing of the danger, after each election, of expensive litigation and voluminous printed personal correspondence, both being expensive luxuries to the Society. -There can be little doubt that the present system of management of the Executive Department branches outside the Colony of Victoria, is extremely unsatisfactory, being a modified form of taxation without representation, and as this principle lost America to England, so I believe, eventually it would have the effect of causing the secession of many branches, under the immediate jurisdiction of the £ J)., out of the colony of Victoria. The corresponding Secretary should be a permanent officer of;the Society,

as the too frequent change of this office must materially militate against its well-being. No competent person could be expected to devote his undivided energies to the work, or bestow the amount of application required, unless he had some reasonable assurance of a continuance of office if the duties pertaining thereto were performed satisfactorily, and not as at present, holding it simply for a term of twelve months. Ordinarily speaking, the C.S. in that time would hardly have sufficient acquaintance with the details of his office to go through the routine work, much less efficiently perform the onerous duties devolving upon him as the responsible agent for several thousands of people.. Another subject of paramount importance is the unsatisfactory state of the government from v Catholic view. I think there should be one or more Roman Catholic clergymen ex-officio members of the Executive Directory as Church representatives, otherwise the name Catholic is a misnomer. The very fact of the clergy not participating in the Executive legislation seems to me a formal if not a material proof of severance from the Church. The Society being a religious one, it would also be desirable- for*-. parish priests, wherever practicable, to be appointed ex-officio principal officers of the various branches. In conclusion I think it would be well for the Dunedin and neighboring Branches of Invercargill, Oamaru, Naseby, Christchurch, and Lawrence to take steps for the formation of a District Board. For my part I see no difficulty in the way, and as " union is strength/ think the sooner action is taken in the matter the better. I would suggest that each Branch elect two members — say President and Secretary, to form a Provisional Committee of twelve, to arrange preliminaries, &c. This appears to be the simplest and most practicable form of procedure at present. Hoping Dunedin, being the oldest Banch, will take the initiative in the matter. — I am, &c., Tuapeka, July 8, 1876. A Countbt Mxmbxb.