FEDERATED CATHOLIC CLUBS OF NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Tablet, 3 April 1913, Page 49

FEDERATED CATHOLIC CLUBS OF NEW ZEALAND

TWELFTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The twelfth annual conference of the Federated Catholic Clubs of blew Zealand commenced its sittings at the rooms of the Christchurch Catholic • Club on Saturday morning, April 22. The representation of clubs was as follows:Auckland, Mr. W. Thomas; Newton (Auckland), Messrs. F. G. J. Temm and G. Dobbs; Waihi and Thames, Mr. J. J. A. Callaghan; Wellington, Messrs. M. O’Kane and G. Dee; Wellington South, Mr. M. O’Kane; Christchurch, Messrs. F. Rowe and P. McNamara; Ashburton, Mr. W. J. Cunningham ; Timaru, Mr. D. O’Halloran ; Waimate, Mr. J. S. Lawlor; Greymouth, Messrs. B. J. Rasmussen and J. Deere; Westport, Messrs. J. Minehan and C. A. Carmine; Hokitika, Messrs. W. E. Jones and F. Duffy; Federation Executive, Messrs. A. H. Casey and C. A. Carmine. Owing to the absence of the president and vice-president, Mr. A. H. Casey was elected chairman. On behalf of the Executive, Mr. Casey extended a hearty welcome to the assembled delegates and urged them to devote themselves zealously and assiduously to the work of the conference. There were, he said, many important proposals for discussion, and he trusted, therefore, that their deliberations and decisions would be productive of great benefit to the cause of .Catholicity and Catholic clubs in New Zealand, and that the conference would be memorable as marking a new era in the progress of the federation. Rev. Father O’Boyle, on behalf of the clergy of Christchurch, welcomed the delegates, and in doing so pointed out the many advantages derivable from membership of a Catholic club, and the good which such clubs are capable of doing in the interests of the Church. Father O’Boyle, whose words of encouragement and advice were much appreciated by the delegates, concluded by wishing the conference a most successful session, and the delegates a pleasant stay in Christchurch. Mr. E. T. Harper (president of the Christchurch Club) expressed the great pleasure which he and his club had in welcoming the delegates to the club rooms. He had no doubt that the conference would be a success, as also the first annual competitions for the Federation Shield. He extended a cordial invitation to the delegates to avail themselves fully of the privileges and facilities of the local club, which, he said, desired that the stay of the visitors be made as pleasant as possible. The chairman then read the presidential address, in which reference was made to the desirability of more active co-operation on the part of clubs with the Executive. The present position of the federation was, in the opinion of the president (Mr. H. not altogether satisfactory. Several clubs needed strengthening, and greater attention should be paid to correspondence sent forward by the Executive, and to the punctual payment of subscriptions. The address concluded by wishing the conference a session full of practical result to the federation, regret being expressed by the president at his absence from the deliberations. The chairman reported that the Executive hoped to receive at an early date applications to join the v federation from clubs recently established at Hamilton and Wrey’s Bush. The annual report and balance sheet, the adoption of which was moved bv the chairman, stated that several of the affiliated clubs had not led a very active existence during the past season. The executive trusted that these dubs would infuse more enthusiasm into their work during the forthcoming term. Diplomas t «.*wa »' vxxxxxs.i£; UUP IUI OIICOII 1 111 ItJJLiJI. VJ I U J \*« •Iri M for improvement in debating and for distinguished services in club work had been awarded to several members. Feeling reference was made to the loss sustained by the federation in the death of its revered

spiritual director, Rev. Father C. J. Yenning, S.M. he finances of the federation, though small, were srtisfactory, though several clubs had neglected payment of subscriptions. The motion for the adoption of the report and balance sheet, which was seconded by Mr. Temm, was opposed by Mr. Callaghan, who criticised adversely the work of the outgoing Executive, with the personnel of which his club (Waihi) was not satisfied. Messrs.. C ’Halloran and O’Kane were also of opinion that the Executive had not been active enough in various matters during the past term. Messrs. Temm, Rasmussen, Dobbs, and Carmine agreed that much of the fault lay with individual clubs and club secretaries and not with the Executive, whoso work during the past term did not merit the criticism of the previous speakers. Mr. Casey in reply answered effectively the various points of objection, and, on putting the motion, declared the same carried by a large majority, Mr. O’Halloran, on behalf of the Timaru Club, moved a new rule—' That districts be constituted comprising such clubs as are conveniently accessible to one another, the work of which clubs, particularly with reference to federation matters, shall be supervised by respective district representatives, The districts and the first set of district representatives shall be arranged by this conference, and thereafter such district representatives shall be appointed by the clubs in the respective districts.’ This proposal received general approval, as being ■ calculated to aid considerably in strengthening the federation, and after some discussion (in which Messrs. Thomas, Rasmussen, Cunningham, Callaghan, Carmine, and Casey took part) the motion was carried, -with a slight amendment deputing the incoming executive, after communicating with the various clubs, to arrange the districts and the first set of district representatives. It was further resolved ‘that the club in the town in which each district representative resides be recommended to appoint him as its delegate to the annual conference, . but failing such appointment such district representative be entitled to attend and take part in the deliberations of the annual conference, but without power to vote.’ -x further motion by the Timaru Club— ‘ That any member of an affiliated club, wheresoever situated, shall (if otherwise qualified) be eligible for election as president ’ —was lost by a large majority, only Messrs. Callaghan, O’Kane, and O’Halloran voting in its favor. The opinion was expressed by Mr. Casey, and concurred in by Messrs. Minehan and Dobbs, that it was essential and in the best interests of the Federation that the president be an active, zealous officer and leader residing in Wellington (the headquarters of the Executive) and not merely the holder of a position of honor. A contingent motion, providing for the election of a chairman to preside at Executive meetings in the event of the president residing outside Wellington, was negatived pro forma Mr. O’Halloran (for the Timaru Club) next moved to alter the time for holding the annual conference, from Easter to such time as the clubs shall be in active session (i.e. during the winter months).’ This motion, which was supported by Messrs. Dobbs, Minehan, Temm, and Cunningham, and opposed by Messrs. Callaghan, Carmine, McNamara, and Casey, was lost. Auckland Catholic Club, through its delegate, Mr. Thomas, then moved an alteration of rule to provide that the annual conference be held at Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin alternately, instead of, as at present, at Christchurch and Wellington alternately. An amendment was moved by Mr. Carmine (Westport) providing that the annual conference shall be held at such place as is selected by the immediately preceding conference. The motion was supported by Messrs. Callaghan, Cunningham, and C’Halloran, whilst Messrs. Dobbs, Temm, O’Kane, Rowe, and Rasmussen preferred the terms of the amendment. Mr. Casey, on behalf of tho Federal Executive, contended strongly for the retention of the present system of holding the conference at Christchurch and Wellington alternately, such'system, having, he .said, been adopted by the 1910 conference after

an experience of the disadvantages to a successful conference (particularly in regard to direct representation) arising from a movable conference. The amendment (providing for a movable conference) was carried. Tiie decision on the locale of the' next conference was in favor of Auckland. A motion by the Wellington Club (Mr. Dee), proposing the institution of a challenge shield for interclub debating contests, was lost by a large majority, the general opinion being that the shield competitions inaugurated at this conference should be first allowed an opportunity of developing. TUe chairman, at this stage, reported having received telegrams conveying greetings and best wishes to the conference from Rev. Brother Phelan, and Messrs, H. McKeowen, J. Leydon, and W. Tiller. At the suggestion of the chairman, it was unanimously decided to telegraph the fraternal greeting and best wishes of the conference to a conference of the clubs in the Goldfields district, which was being held at Thames. i Mr. Casey then submitted the report of the Executive ■ upon the proposal for the re-publication of an official organ to be called The Catholic Magazine. The proposal, though a commendable one, was not, in the opinion of the Executive, likely, owing to various reasons enumerated, to be a successful venture financially. The motion for the approval of the Executive’s . report was vigorously opposed by Mr. O’Kane, who criticised severely the business management of the old Magazine , and the estimates of probable receipts and ' expenditure submitted in the. present report. He moved as an amendment —‘ that the incoming Executive be deputed to again consider the matter of republishing the Magazine, and that it be empowered to proceed with the republication if satisfactory arrangements ensuring its financial and literary success can be made. Messrs. Carmine, Dobbs, and McNamara supported the amendment. Mr. Casey, in reply, defended the late business manager (Mr. McKeowen), who, he said, had worked hard, without remuneration, ana had done his best for the financial side of the venture. He thanked the various speakers who had spoken in appreciative terms of his (Mr. Casey’s) services as editor, but his opinion was that the clubs would need to be more practical than in the past in supporting not only the financial but also the literary side of the Magazine if the proposed publication was to be successful. The amendment was carried. Reports were received from the Greymouth, Wellington South, Wellington, Thames, Waihi, Newton, Ashburton, Timaru, and Christchurch Clubs, all of which showed that the various phases of Catholic club life had, in general, been satisfactorily provided for and been taken advantage of by the members. The chairman explained the objects and constitution of the New Zealand Catholic Federation, and the vantages of the Federation in relation to Catholic embs, and he urged all club members to join the organisation and assist actively in its promotion. - i m P or^ance of every club availing itself fully or the advantages kindly • offered by the N.Z. Tablet for the publication of club notes and reports was stressed by the chairman, who moved— ‘ That this conference heartily congratulates the N.Z. Tablet upon its con-' Gnued and successful defence of Catholic doctrine and Catholic interests, and expresses its warm appreciation of the facilities offered for the publication of Catholic • •j news, of which facilities the federation and indi- / vidual clubs hope to take fuller advantage in the future. The motion was carried with but one dissentient (Mr. O’Kane). The conference also passed a vote of thanks to the secular press of New Zealand generally for the prominence given in its columns to reports of Catholic club matters, and each club was directed to convey such resolution of thanks to the local press in their respective districts. . Messrs. J. Sullivan an d C. J. Lenihan (of the Wellington and Wellington South Clubs respectively) contributed papers on matters of Catholic interest' and Catholic club work. A resolution of. thanks to .the writers was carried after some criticism by Mr. Cal-

laghan on the nature of the subject matter of one paper. Various suggestions for the improvement of the federation and of its constituent clubs were made, such as—Uniform report forms; report from each club’s spiritual director; compilation by the Executive, in collaboration with the clubs, of lists of members; interclub visits and competitions; exchange of matter for debating, literary, and dramatic work; lectures and speeches on Catholic doctrine the furnishing of letters of introduction and financial ‘ clearance ’ to members departing to another club town; freer correspondence by clubs with the Executive upon matters pertaining to club life upon which advice or information is needed” and better and more prompt attention (on the part both of clubs and the Executive) to correspondence. The election of officers was next proceeded with. The joint committee (consisting of five members of the two Wellington clubs) recommended the following gentlemen for election President-general, his Grace Archbishop Redwood; president, Mr. B. A. Guise; vice-president, Mr. M. O’Kane; hon. secretary, Mr. .0, J. Lenihan; hon. treasurer, Mr. C. A. Carmine; Executive members, Messrs. G. Dee, J. L. Leydon, and J. Fagan. Messrs. Guise and Dee withdrew their respective nominations, and the nominations closed as follow for the-contested positions:—President,, Messrs. A. H. Casey, H. McKeowen, and M. O’Kane; vicepresident, Messrs. M. O’Kane, B. A. Guise, J. McGowan, and H. McKeowen ; Executive members, Messrs. H. McKeowen, J. McGowan, B. A. Guise, J. L. Leydon, and J. Fagan. The elections, which created great interest, resulted in the following constitution of the Executive for the forthcoming year: President-general, his Grace Archbishop Redwood president, Mr. A. H. Casey; vice-president, Mr. M. C’Kane; hon. secretary, Mr. C. J. Lenihan;- hon. treasurer, Mr. C. A. Carmine; Executive members, Messrs. J. L. Leydon, J. McGowan, and B. A. Guise. The following further resolutions were carried: ‘ That this conference tenders its congratulations to the. Right Rev. Dr. Cleary, Bishop of Auckland, upon his able and sustained efforts in opposing the introduction of the Bible into State schools,’ ‘ That: this conference is of opinion that the parents of any Catholic child who, after winning (from a Catholic primary school) a scholarship entitling such child to free tuition at a State secondary school ’ or ‘ its equivalent, is nevertheless debarred by the District Education Board from holding such scholarship at a Catholic secondary school of proper grade, should, if they prefer, for conscientious reasons, that their child’s education be continued at such a Catholic secondary school, be compensated to the value of such forfeited scholarship out of a fund to be established and maintained by the Catholic body of New Zealand. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the New Zealand Catholic Federation.’ ‘ ; A hearty vote of thanks to the retiring officers was carried by acclamation, as was also a resolution that the Executive confer a diploma for distinguished service upon Messrs. H. McKeowen and J. L. Leydon for their past zealous work and efforts as, officers -of the federation, J - The desirability of mutual co-operation in extending the membership and participating in the work of St. Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Seamen’s Conference, H.A.C.B. Society, and boys’ clubs was urged by the chairman, who gave a; brief outline of the work and sphere of usefulness of each such society. :: The conference passed a vote-of condolence and sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr. W. Sullivan, of Waihi, who took a prominent part in the deliberations of last year’s conference, and showed great zeal in the work of the federation. It was also unanimously resolved to tender the congratulations of the conference to the Right Rev. Mgr. Brodie, of Waihi, and to his parishioners, upon his and their effective protest against the extravagant and discourteous utterances against them and the Church generally of a notorious Socialist during , the troublous times of last year in Waihi. This being all the business, the assembled . dele-

gates, upon the motion of Messrs. Dobbs and Rasmussen, recorded by acclamation their warm appreciation of the tact and ability of the chairman of the conference (Mr. A. H. Casey),' and of the valuable services of the recording secretary (Mr. C. A. Carmine). Mr. Casey, in reply, thanked the delegates for the attention which they had paid to the business of the conference. He felt sure that their deliberations would prove of much benefit to the various clubs and would lead to the establishment of many new clubs and the consequent strengthening of the federation. He impressed upon all delegates and proxy representatives the necessity of furnishing a full report of the decisions of the conference to their respective clubs, and of interesting the general body of club members in the affairs of the federation. He appreciated very sincerely the goodwill of the delegates, who had, one and all, displayed great earnestness in their deliberations, and he felt privileged to have been in charge of so successful a conference. He thanked, in their name, the Christchurch Club for the accommodation and facilities so kindly afforded to the conference. INTER-CLUB SHIELD COMPETITIONS. The first annual inter-club competitions for a handsome shield instituted by the Executive of the federation were held in conjunction with the twelfth annual- conference of the Federated Catholic Clubs of New Zealand. The competitions were divided into four classes or sections, viz., debating, elocution, tennis, and billiards. Entries for all sections were received from the Wellington, Greymouth, and Christchurch Clubs. The debating and elocutionary contests were held at the Christchurch club rooms on Sunday afternoon, April 23, when there was a large attendance of delegates and club members. Professor Eight, of Canterbury College, judged the contests, and Mr. A. H. Casey (president of the federation) acted as chairman. The subject for debate was— ‘ That the modern desire for wealth is not conducive to the best interests of the community.’ Wellington (represented by Messrs. M. O’Kane and G. Dee) debated first against Greymouth (Messrs. B. J. Rasmussen and J. Minehan). After a spirited debate, Greymouth was declared the winners by 150 points to 120. The next contest was between Christchurch (Messrs. J. R. Hayward and W. F. Jones) and Greyrnouth, and after a keen debate the judge awarded the honors to Greymouth, with 154 points against 149. Points for shield—Greymouth 7, Christchurch 3|, Wellington 0. In the elocutionary contest, Messrs. J. Minehan (Greymouth), P. McNamara (Christchurch), and C. A Carmine (Wellington) made an excellent showing, the judge’s decision being in favor of Wellington (83 points), Christchurch receiving . 80 points, and Greymouth 76 points. Points for shield Wellington 6, Christchurch 1 3, Greymouth 0. * The tennis tournament took place at the Christchurch Club’s courts, Shakespeare road, Sydenham, on Monday morning, April 24. Mr. T. O’Connell (Christchurch), who was in excellent form, easily defeated Mr. A. H. Casey (Wellington’s emergency representative) by 30 points to 9. Mr. C. Kilgour (Greymouth) next succumbed to Mr. O’Connell by 30 points to 16. The match between Messrs. Kilgour and Casey was keenly contested, and resulted in a win for the Greymouth representative by 30 points to 28. Points for Christchurch 4, Greymouth 2, Wellington 0. The billiards section was decided on Monday night at the rooms of the Christchurch Club, the first game being played between Messrs. J. Cronin and W. t Thomas, both of whom were emergency representatives for their respective clubs—Christchurch, and Wellingt°n. Result—J. Cronin 50, W. Thomas 37. The Christchurch representative then tried conclusions with Mr. P. Clunan (Greymouth) and the latter won comfortably, scoring 100 points to 56. Points for shield— Greyrnouth 4, Christchurch 2, Wellington 0. Grand total ts—Greymouth 13, Christchurch Wellington 6, the shield being thus won by the Greymouth Club, with Christchurch Club a most creditable second. The winning club is entitled to hold the shield (on which its name will be inscribed) until the next competitions, which will be ' held in conjunction

with the 1914 conference at Auckland next Easter, and for which there is every expectation of much larger entries than on this occasion. ■''s',." SOCIAL EVENING. : •, At the conclusion of the conference and competitions a social ' evening was tendered to the visiting delegates by the local club. Mr. E. T. Harper (president) occupied the chair, and there was an excellent attendance. The following toast list was honored : ‘ The Shield Winners (Greymouth Club),’ proposed by Mr. J. R. Hayward and acknowledged in suitable. terms by Mr. C. O’Neill. Mr. Hayward heartily congratulated the Greymouth representatives, who were all young members* of great promise, and whose club was, he said, the strongest and best-equipped of any in . the federation. The next toast was ‘ The Federation,’ which was proposed in an appropriate speech by Mr. E. L. McKeon, who referred to the many advantages of the federation, and to some of the work which it was possible for the Executive, with the co-operation of the clubs, to do in the interests of Catholic young men. Mr. A. H. Casey (president) in replying gave a resume of the important work done by the conference, and expressed his sincere conviction that a new era of progress was, before the federation. He hoped that during the coming year the Executive would, with the practical assistance and co-operation of parish priests, be able to establish many new clubs throughout the Dominion. Mr, W. Thomas, on behalf of the visiting delegates, proposed ‘ Success and prosperity to the Christchurch Catholic Club,’ and in doing so he thanked the president, secretary, and other officers and members for their kind hospitality and good comradeship. Mr, E. T. Harper, in acknowledging the toast, said that his club had been exceedingly pleaded to receive the delegates, and that any members of affiliated clubs visiting Christchurch at any time would be accorded the warmest welcome to their club rooms. The toast list was concluded by Mr. W. E. Jones, who in felicitous terms proposed the health of Mr. A. IT. Casey, whose work as chairman of the conference had, he said, commanded the respect and admiration of all the delegates. Mr. Casey suitably replied. During the course of the evening items of an entertaining nature were rendered by Messrs. C. Fottrell, J. Bown, and J. McNamara, and the proceedings, which were most enthusiastic throughout, concluded with cheers for the visitors, the Christchurch Club, and the chairman.