MIXED MARRIAGES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4, 25 January 1900, Page 10

MIXED MARRIAGES.

TO THE EDITOR.

Rev. Sib, — The evils that arise in so many cases from mixed marriages is a question that has long caused, and is Btill causing, deep anxiety to the Catholic clergy and laity of Australasia. The first Plenary Council that met in Sydney made special mention of the subject in the Pastoral Letter addressed to the clergy and laity of these colonies. With your kind permission I would like to express my opinion as to the cause of a large number of the mixed marriages that take place in our midst, and also to offer a few suggestions that I think would, if adopted, at least reduce the number of these undesirable unions I may at once scate that Ido not wish to pose as an authority on so great a subject ; I merely speak from my experience as a colonial who has lived all his life in the oountry, and it is to scattered country districts that I most particularly refer. First, as to some of the causes of mixed marriages. As surely as fire and tnw will ignite, so surely will young people become attached to each other when brought constantly together. The Catholics of this Colony are, I believe, only about one-seventh of the population, and it can be easily seen that in scattered districts such as I refor to the Catholic young man or young woman may have many neighbours and friends of other denominations, but be intimate with very fe*v Catholics. Evening parties and dances are very common forms of amusement in the country during the winter months, and I can say from experience that I have been frequently at parties where there have been from 12 to 20 young ladies, but not one Catholic among the number. I believe it is generally admitted that a very considerable number of engagements always take place on the voyage from Home to the Colonies and vice verm, chiefly because of the reason alluded to by me — the fact that the cjntracting parties see so much of each other during the trip, and therefore become attached to each other. Having endeavoured to show some of the causes of mixed marriages in country districts I will now venture to offer a few suggestions that would in my opinion reduce their number. Let the Catholic parents, with the assistance of their clergy, form the acquaintance and seek the friendship of their fellow -Catholics at some distance from home ; as very often in the country there may be no eligible C.ithclics within many miles. The people of New Zealand travel a good deal, and I have often been in a strange town and not known a (Jatholio in it. I feel convinced that if there were a b tter npint of combination and unity among the heads of Catholic f a oji lies it could not fail to produce good results for their childen and for the future of the Church in the Colony. I maintain that it is the duty of parents, as far as they are able, to assist their children in making the acquaintance of those whose company would be beneficial to them, and who would be likely to make them suitable life partners. Such a course of action would, with God's blessing, lead to far more tru.y Christian marriages than take place at the present time. But this is, I fear, a duty that is greatly neglected. How often do we see young and inexperienced people left alniist entirely to their own judgment as to the persons whom they choose for companions ; and is it to be wondered at that they frequently make undesirable acquaintances ? In the towns Catholics Lave many ways of meeting each other, sncli an socials, bazars, picnics, etc., but these are almost unknown in many parts of the country. Consequently Catholics in many oi-fuv,ts.have few opportunities of becoming acquainted with each ■>! her. Trusting that this letter will be acceptable to your columns and that someone with more knowledge of the subject than I ;i £M>«sß wiil contribute further to it. — I am, etc., 1 T A

Mn. P. LUNDON, Phoenix Chambers, Wanganui, is still busy putting people on the 8 il. He has also hotels in town aud country Fur riile and To Lease. Write to him. — %*