CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 1 May 1913, Page 26

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

'.'j:' ". ;/ -■ - ■;' ; WELLINGTON. >.;!:>■; -- ■ (From our own correspondent.) ' ! The Dominion' Executive of the ; Catholic Federation " : met last Thursday evening atthe presbytery, Patterson street, , Mr. G. Girling-Butcher "presiding, -- Very Rev. Dean O'Shea was also present. __' Correspondence was read from the Under Secretary of the Immigration Department, replying . to the request made by the Dominion Executive for facilities to be 'granted to.; the . ladies of the St. Vincent de Paul Society to visit immigrant . vessels to look after the interests of Catholic girls arriving by those vessels. A reply .was also given to the question asked of the Minister for Internal; Affairs, whether the reported statement made by him before the Empire Trade Commission, respecting the intention of the Government to subsidize the Girl's' Friendly Society »for temporarily housing girl immigrants, was correct. The reply given was to the effect that the 4 Government intended to subsidize the Girls' Friendly Society for the purpose stated. The secretary was instructed to apply immediately for the extension of the subsidy to the Ladies of St. Vincent de Paul. The secretary reported that after some difficulty he managed to obtain for the Catholic school children the privilege of visiting the warship on the same terms as public school children. . J, The picture film sub-committee reported that an objectionable film had been brought under notice. - Steps were immediately taken to visit the theatre screening it, and it was found that whilst no serious objection could be raised to the film as a whole, yet there were one or two parts which might border on the suggestive side. The manager was interviewed and the matter explained to him he immediately withdrew the placard from the door and promised that it would not again be shown in New Zealand. -

CHRISTCHURCH. - • (From our own correspondent.) The provisional Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation is.desirous of expediting as far as possible the work of organisation. As the inaugural meeting of delegates to form the permanent Diocesan Council is definitely fixed for May 8 at 8 o'clock at the episcopal residence, Christchurch, those parishes that have not so far sent in the names of: its representatives are urged to do so without delay. Timely notice is also requested from parishes where the representatives may be unable to attend this meeting. To meet such instances, proxies will be provided from among local members of the Federation outside those on the two city parish committees.

AUCKLAND. : (From our own correspondent.) A meeting of the Auckland Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation was held at St. Patrick's Presbytery on Thursday, April 24. The president pro. tern. (Mr. D. Flynn) presided. His Lordship the Bishop, and the Rev. Fathers Edge, Ormond, Forde, Williams, and Cahill were present. There was a very large attendance of delegates representing the parishes of Taumarunui, Te Kuiti, Te Awamutu, Hamilton, Cambridge, Thames, Huntly, Whangarei, and all the city and suburban parishes. Several of the parishes. in the more remote parts of the diocese were represented by proxy; in all there were about 40 delegates present. The chairman, in opening the meeting, welcomed the delegates from the different parishes, especially those who had come long distances to attend the meeting. It showed, he said, that the country districts were enthusiastic in regard to the movement, and ; desired to take an active part. .-> _ w

The secretary (Mr. F. G. J. Temm) reported that since the last meeting he had received a large amount

of - correspondence from the different parishes of , the diocese. After the correspondence had been dealt with, the meeting proceeded to elect its permanent president. Nominations for the office were ■, called for, and. [as . Mr. -': Jas. J. Furlong was the only one nominated he was de- ; clared unanimously elected. The following are the other officers of the Council:Vice-presidents, Messrs. D. Flynn and B. McLaughlin; hon. secretary, Mr. F. G. J. Temm; hon. treasurer, Mr.. M. J. Sheahan; delegates to the Dominion Executive-—-Messrs. J. J. Furlong, B. McLaughlin, and E. R. Casey. _; ■"'■'./ Eev. Father Edge, : who has recently been doing • organising work in this diocese, reported to the meeting how matters stood in the different'parts which he visited. This report- was of a highly satisfactory; and pleasing nature. ' _";'•' T ' '■"'•■ Delegates from: the country parishes also reported that the movement was rapidly spreading, and that our people were taking upTihe movement most enthusi- \ astically. :-; 7..C"'->' :: ••_:"." ' ,-"-,•"'', The question of finance was also discussed, and the various parish committees were requested (through their delegates) to forward all subscriptions to the diocesan treasurer, to enable the council to forward a remittance to the Dominion Executive in accordance with tho constitution >.= _,, ...-, .- •■ •

After other formal business, and a vote of thanks to his Lordship Bishop* Cleary for his presence, and a vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting closed. ~ 9

; V OHINEMURI. '..'.. (From our own correspondent.) ~ April 19. At a meeting of the Catholic Federation-which was held at St. Mary's Church, Paeroa, on Sunday, evening after Benediction, the following members were unanimously elected:— Secretary, Mr. John Crosby; treasurer, Mr. Michael Quane; executive committee —Messrs John Goonan, John Roach, W. Hoard, G. McSweeney, T. Barrett, and F. Donnelly vice-presidents, Messrs J. Black and G. Crosby. At Karangahake a meeting, which was held immediately after Mass on the same day, the members elected were: Secretary, Mr. G. Fallon;. treasurer, Mr. T. Polland; executive committee Messrs J. Barrett, P. Kearns, J. Fitzgerald, and M. Wall. - ;